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James Dean McRae was anxious to be born and came a month early on May 22, 1962, to Patricia (Boyer) Sather and Frank McRae in Sidney, MT. He was the easiest baby to raise and always content.

Jimmy Dean grew up surrounded by a large family which included his siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, many cousins, and lifelong friends. He attended school in Sidney & Savage where he participated in wrestling, football, and boxing.

Seismic work took him to Wyoming where he found the loves of his life - Brenda, Seaver and Savanha. They were his pride and joy. He met Brenda one night when they were both out on the town and were never apart again. They were married on May 25, 1990, and became a family. He had such a sense of humor and loved to tease Brenda, taking every opportunity to do so - just one of the many fun and passionate parts to their relationship. From the day they first met, their chemistry and love for each other was undeniable and truly admirable to everyone that knew them. Brenda and Jim had a love that one could only truly describe as one between soulmates.

Known as “everyone’s favorite nephew,” Jim, James, Jimmy Dean – he was known to everyone as a jokester and never a stranger to any, for long. By the end of any conversation upon meeting a new face, he walked away with a new friend. He trusted God, loved the outdoors (especially fishing & camping with his family), and his moose of a dog, Snickers. He was his own man, even as a child, was soft hearted, and as a child didn’t like his picture taken. He loved getting together with family and friends. He was always searching for something to eat and kept his eye on Grandma Boyer’s cookie jar, hoping there was a treat inside – his favorite was her No-Bakes. But the most important thing in his life was his wife, son, daughter, and grandchildren.

The family has so many memories with Dad. Seaver’s favorites included Lake De Smet and Elitch Gardens Theme Park. Savanha remembers Mom and Dad’s first trip without the kids and wasn’t sure if they would come back – but of course they did.

It was so important to take care of his family and he worked hard to be able to do so. Due to getting injured in the oil field, he started trucking. After the sudden passing of the love of his life, his cherished wife Brenda, he moved to Sidney to help his mother with her recovery from an accident and was able to find employment with Sidney Sugars, carrying on the legacy of Boyer men working in the sugar beet industry. Once the factory closed, he found employment with Border Steel.

Jim passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, in Sidney, MT. We will all miss him and his hugs – he gave the best hugs ever.

Jim is survived by his children – daughter, Savanha McRae and granddaughter, Jayce; son, Seaver McRae (Chantel); grandsons Dalton, Dylan, and Jaxton; granddaughter Keira; mother Pat Sather; stepmother Barb McRae; siblings Francis McRae (Teri), Collette Olson, Gene McRae, Thomas Sather (Jason), Glenn McRae (Angel), Nicole McRae, John Flynn, Rick Flynn, George Flynn, and Berta Walter; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Brenda; father Frank; grandparents Francis and Rose Boyer and Glenn and Ellen McRae; stepfather Tom Sather; father-in-law Daniel Laher; sister-in-law Ivy Laher; brother-in-law Kurt Olson; and many cherished family and friends.