James Lyle Cline

FLORENCE ~ In loving memory of our dad – James Lyle Cline, 73, died unexpectedly and much too soon on June 19th, 2025. He was born January 18th, 1952 to James H. Cline and Ina Mae (Kuhlman) Cline in Durango, Colorado. Dad spent his childhood trailing sheep in the Colorado mountains with his family. He graduated from Dolores High School in 1970 and spent most of his career as a long-haul truck driver. He met and married the love of his life, Debra Cline, in 1976 and over the next 50 years they raised 3 kids, had 8 grandkids, owned and operated a business, loved and lost very dear friends and navigated a full life.

In 1984 they followed Dad’s dream to live under the big blue skies of Montana, and they never left. A few years later in 1993 Dad dedicated his life to Jesus and spent many years enjoying fellowship and friendship at Clark Fork Christian Center. Dad drove a truck to pay the bills and provide for his family, but he lived to hunt, fish, camp and ride horses. He passed this love of the outdoors down to all his kids and grandkids. There is no question that he is currently sitting at Heaven’s campfire drinking black coffee.

Dad will be dearly missed by his wife, his family and his friends. His family- especially his grandkids- were his pride and joy and we are honored to call him our Pa. He wasn’t perfect, but he loved his family more than he knew how to express and had a big, generous heart under his tough, cowboy exterior. We love you.

He is survived by his wife, Deb; his daughter from a previous marriage, Nicole Cobb, daughters, Ashley Engesser of Powell, Wyoming, and Lynlea Cline of Lolo, Montana; his son Chase and daughter-in-law Elize Cline, of Helena, Montana; eight grandkids, Carsyn, Decker, Justyce, Dawson (Ashley), Abel, Chava (Chase) and Jude and Quinn (Lynlea); his sister Kay Goode (Billy); niece Callie Goode and uncle Gordan Kuhlman (Jeanna).

He is preceded in death by his mom and dad, Jim and Ina Cline, his grandparents and his best friend Dave Jenkins.

Services currently are unplanned.

Arrangements are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Missoula.