James David Elmore was born November 4th, 1973, in Baker, Montana to Bonnie and Bill Elmore. He became the third little Elmore boy alongside his brothers Brian and Shannon. In his younger years, he called Ekalaka, Montana home and spent his days hunting, playing basketball and football, causing mischief with his brothers, pallet surfing, setting (controlled) fires, and working with his dad. James was soft-spoken but well-liked and trusted by all who met him. From a young age, he was known for his humorous and sarcastic one-liners that could make anybody laugh. Famously, his mom would have Aunt Merle take him to her house when the pastor came over, because “you never knew what James would say.”

As he grew up, he worked a variety of jobs from helping in the oilfield, being a ranch hand, custom harvesting, and spraying weeds. It didn’t take him very long to realize that he needed a career with benefits and in 1996 he enrolled in Bismarck State College’s Electrical Lineman program. He graduated nine months later and found a calling and a brotherhood in that field. After a short stint with Cherry Todd Electric, he became employed with MDU in Glendive and Sidney. It was there that he met many of his closest friends. James loved working in the service of others and spent countless nights in rain, snow, and wind keeping the power on. Additionally, he was heavily involved in the IBEW union trying to secure benefits for his fellow utility workers.

Shortly before he went to lineman school, he met his first wife, Mary Aas. Of this union came two children: John in 1996 and Laura in 1998. Immediately, being a father became his highest calling. He commemorated his life to his children and loved them dearly. Many days were spent playing cowboy, building snowmen, and being the best dad he possibly could.

After his first union ended, he moved from Glendive to Sidney to be closer to his mom. In his new apartment complex, he met a neighbor who would become the love of his life. Melissa and James quickly became inseparable and after several years of dating, they were married on September 3rd, 2011. Melissa was James’s constant pillar of support, travel buddy, and best friend. Through Melissa, he gained three more children that he loved as his own: Charles, Josh, and Jordan.

Throughout his life, James was a mentor. He taught his kids to hunt, work on vehicles, and how to live with a servant’s heart. He made a point to be a father figure to the young men he worked with. He rarely took a day to himself and would volunteer to help anyone who asked. He was soccer coach for his son, a D.A.R.E instructor, and volunteered to help with the Royal Rangers program at the Assembly of God Church. He could also be found mowing his neighbor's grass, helping fix someone's furnace, doing what he could for a friend’s construction project, or just about anything else anyone needed. He loved going out to his father-in-law, Ron’s, house to plant gardens and do odd jobs. He could also be found helping his uncle Lenny check disposal wells.

On his time off, he would watch some 80’s action movies or start a new project in the garage. Most of all though, he loved to go home to Ekalaka and hunt with his brothers, kids, and anyone else who wanted to tag along. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday and always spent it with loved ones playing games and cracking jokes.

After a twenty-year battle with cancer, James passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and loved ones on July 6th, 2024. He never let his illness keep him from remaining positive and always had a smile on his face and love in his heart. He credited God with keeping him strong and professed his faith to anyone who asked.

He is survived by his wife Melissa Elmore; his mother Bonnie (Larry) “Elmore” Sharbono; his children, John (Caysi) Elmore, Laura Elmore, Charles Vincent, Josh (Chelsea) Romero, and Jordan Romero; brothers Brian (Nadine) Elmore and Shannon (Barb) Elmore; father-in-law Ron Jensen; sister-in-law Shelle Mayes; aunts and uncles Lenny (Barb) Carver, Dan (Denise) Pierce, Laurie (Roger) Pankratz, Bea Barkley, Charles Elmore, and Shirley Dean Scheetz; grandchildren, Jenessa, Ayden, Alix, and Emma; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his dad, Bill Elmore, his grandparents June and Floyd Pierce and Madeline and Bert Elmore, his Aunt Merle Griffin, uncle Dave Elmore, and his mother-in-law Lee Jensen.

Here’s to an amazing man and keeping his memory alive.

Memorial Contribution