James Eugene Luchi, 73, of Watford City, passed away 30 miles north of Belle Fourche, SD on July 30, 2024. Jim had been at the Sturgis Bike Rally for his 37th year, he was hit and killed by a motor vehicle on his way home.

Jim was born to Omero and Joan Luchi in Cutbank, MT, on October 31, 1950. Jim was the youngest of four siblings and went to school in Cutbank, MT. Jim very soon fell in love with a beautiful girl from the other side of the tracks in Cutbank. On May 25, 1971, Jim wed Marie Simonson and to this union three children were born: Curtis, James, & Julie. The family moved to Watford City in 1980 as Jim started working for Petro Hunt, in the early years of the oil boom. He would eventually work for other oil companies and spend the next 30 years in the Bakken oilfields.

Jim had different hobbies over the years such as fishing and hunting and of course biking. Jim loved everything Harley Davidson! His home was filled with Harley Davidson gifts that he had been given for many years and his whole wardrobe was Black Harley Davidson t-shirts. Jim’s biker lifestyle was only personified more by his tatted-up appearance and his ever so colorful vocabulary. Aside from all the toughness, Jim was also a big, old softy. He was a big part of Marie’s daycare kids’ lives too. Everyone loved getting to see Big Jim and he’d tell the kids he was going to “break their leg” or “rip off their face.” All in good fun of course.

Jim’s heart was forever broken after the loss of Marie, in June of 2019. The two had been married for 48 years and he struggled to pick up the pieces after that devastating loss. Jim did find moments of happiness in his interactions with his family and many friends. Jim started spending a lot of time in Minnesota, especially in the summers. His son, Curt, owns and operates Forest Lane Resort on Lake Vermillion. It didn’t take long for Jim to win over the regulars and the many people who would come through the resort. He made many cherished friendships that helped him get through those difficult days without Marie. Jim also had many friends back home who would stop by and visit him as he smoked in his garage, which he often did. He had his morning coffee crew at Cenex and many neighbors throughout the years who had the pleasure of getting to shoot the breeze with Jim. Jim also enjoyed getting to watch his granddaughters’ sporting activities these past few years.

The loss of Jim will be felt by so many but do not be sad for him, as he is in the arms of his beloved Marie for eternity. In his own words, he would tell us all to “Biker Up.”

Jim is survived by his children, Curt (Kathy) Luchi, Jimmy (Heather) Luchi, and Julie (Jon) Hanson; grandchildren Andrew Klemmensen, Cody and Justin Luchi, Burkley, Jersi and Bianca Luchi and Chloe Hanson; his sister Marilyn Hilliard-Raymond; and brother Brian Neidhardt.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry and his wife, Marie.