James Munday

James Lee Munday 88 09/15/1931-09/07/2020 James Lee Munday was born on September 15, 1931 in Sterling, Colorado to Lloyd and Roberta Munday. He was raised by parents that grew up in the depression and dust bowl years in Colorado. This instilled a hard work ethic in James at a young age. When he was a boy, they moved several times until his family settled in Dillon, Montana to open the Munday Dairy. He would share stories of hand milking the cows twice a day and delivering the milk with the horses and wagon. The Munday family was always close and would work together. After graduation from Beaverhead County High School in Dillon he became a Marine. He did a tour in the Korean War. He and his family were very proud of his time in the service. After meeting the love of his life, James married Elaine Peterson in Lima, Montana. James and Elaine were married for 66 years. Together they worked the ranch, raising sheep and cattle. He and Elaine took pride in raising an exceptional hay crop. James and Elaine were blessed with one daughter, Renea and four grandchildren Shanda (Clint) Broere, Perry (Tara) Detton, Serena (Jonathan) Martinell and Sara (Tadd) Nye. They also have 6 great grandchildren, Kassidy and Shaylee Broere, Cole and Mitchell Detton, Grace Martinell and Peyton Nye. James helped form the Snowline Grazing Association in 1965 and was President for 14 years. In 1991, James and Elaine moved from the ranch to make Dillon their home locating close to Renea and family. With this move they were able to spend time traveling to Arizona in the winter and a little more dancing which they both loved. The Munday family enjoyed getting together to play games, tell jokes, and shoot a game of pool. He would always ask “What’s the News?” with discussion time, and coffee. Grandpa James would always enjoy seeing the grandkids with saying “Oh my goodness” and “Give me a goodbye squeeze.” James was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Roberta Munday and sister Marlys (John) Ricks, Kelly Ricks (nephew) and sister Loydean (John) Piper. James is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Renea, and brother Russell (Sonja) Munday. There will be a private family service with military honors. Memorial Donations may be made to Barrett Memorial Hospice or the American Legion.