A. J. (Jim) Shirtliff, 81, passed away, Thursday, July 31, 2008, of natural causes at his home in Kalispell.
Jim’s sense of humor, smile and teasing will be so very missed. At his request, no service will be conducted. Memorials may be sent in Jim’s memory to Grace Hospice, 1117 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family. Jim was born, Dec. 23, 1926, in Plentywood the son of Herbert and Florence Shirtliff. He married Mae Rose Larson, on April 29, 1945. The couple had three children. Jim lived and worked in Havre for many years before moving to Kalispell 36 years ago. Jim worked for Buttrey’s Furniture in Havre, and Hillstead’s Furniture in Kalispell until he retired. He loved the furniture business once stating for the Daily Interlake, “that part of the excitement of helping people choose furniture is my belief that one’s home should be the happiest place to hang one’s hat. It is where you should feel most comfortable, where your children are most secure and you feel most significant so I love helping people make their homes comfortable and cheerful.” People always commented on Jim’s smile and his attitude toward life and work. Jim considered Kalispell “the most beautiful place in the world.” He always said, “Nothing compares with the grand scenery the tremendous mountains, the beautiful lakes, wide open skies. It’s a bit like Heaven, I suspect." One of Jim’s most memorable vacations was when he and Mae Rose and the Howard Taylors of Havre set out on their Harley Davidson motorcycles on July 3, 1965, for Indianapolis to see the Indy 500. He always referred to the trip as his “two weeks on two wheels!” Jim was a member of the Eagles and the Elks, and absolutely loved boating. In the last few years he had been restoring a 1948 boat with a wood hull. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mae Rose; his precious daughter, Tina Rae; his parents; two brothers; and one sister. Jim is survived by his son, James (Christina) Shirtliff of Kalispell; daughter, Carol (Howard) Bailey of Havre; his brothers, Gary (Sandy) Shirtliff of Eugene, Ore., Bob (Helen) Shirtliff of Kalispell, and Ron (Gloria) Shirtliff of Kalispell; his sister, Darlene (Dione) Christenson of Thompson Falls; and grandchildren, Shannon Solomon and Kimberly Edwards, both of Havre, Gwho-ee Jackson and Tshe Jackson, both of British Columbia, Nuci Jackson, of California, and Jim Dodson and Chyneen Stringfellow, both of Texas.
