James Cletus "Jim" Taylor Jr.

MISSOULA ~ James C. Taylor, Jr., 83 passed peacefully at home on Monday, September 26, 2022. Jim was born November 22, 1938, in Miles City, Montana to James C. Taylor and Ruth (Crosmer) Taylor. Hysham, MT was home to the family including sister, Carol who arrived in 1944.

Jim attended the University of Montana, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 1960, he and Lari Ann Eggen were married in Missoula. The couple moved back to Hysham where Jim worked in the family business. They welcomed children Kerry, Scott, and Becky during this time. The family made the move back to Missoula in 1967 where Brad was born in 1970. Jim completed his master’s in Education and began his career at the Missoula Vocational Technical Center (Missoula College) first as a teacher, and then in an administrative capacity.

In 1976, the family made the trek to Fort Collins Colorado, where Jim earned his PhD in Vocational Education from Colorado State University. Vocational Education was a passion that continued throughout his life. Upon returning to Missoula, Jim resumed his administrative position at the Vo-Tech. 1994 marked the merging of the College of Technology with the University of Montana system. Jim completed his last six career years as the Director of Business Services for the University of Montana retiring in 2000.

Retirement afforded the opportunity for Jim and Lari Ann to travel even more than they had before. Jim loved seeing new places and was often planning the next trip even while on the current one. When he was not on an adventure, family camping/fishing trips, gardening, and of course, Grizzly athletics were his favorite pastimes.

Jim was a man of monumental faith and volunteered in various capacities with both Holy Family and Saint Anthony’s Parishes. He was our rock, and example of how to live life loving God and each other.
Survivors include his loving, devoted wife of 62 years, Lari Ann; children Kerry (Tim) McInerney, Scott Taylor, Becky (Paraic) Neibergs, Brad Taylor; grandchildren T.J. (Shannon) McInerney, Ryan McInerney, Courtney (Kevin) O’Connor, Jason (Michele) Neibergs, Bryce Neibergs, Mari Neibergs; great grandchildren Molly and Rylie McInerney and Jameson O’Connor; sister Carol (Roger) Corcoran, brothers-in-law Bob (Julie) Eggen, Jim (Tammy) Eggen; and the Eggen and Gaub nieces and nephews.

To all those in the medical community, who cared for Jim, including Partners in Home Care Hospice, we extend our deepest gratitude.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 30, 12:00PM at Blessed Trinity Catholic Community, 1475 Eaton Street in Missoula with reception to follow. The family will have a private interment after the reception.

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