James "Jim" Donald Conroy

Jim Conroy, also known as "Big Daddy" and "Rates" to most people, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023.

A vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023. A funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, both at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Jim was born on February 20, 1947, to Irene and Bud Conroy in Sidney, Montana. He joined two older sisters, Marilyn and Irene, and then later, Kathy added to the bunch. They were double cousins to Mary, Mike, and Carol Conroy. He attended elementary and high school in Sidney and graduated in 1965. He worked on the missile sites during that summer and attended Carroll College for one year and then transferred to Eastern Montana College. He met Patti Coleman at Fords Drive-In, and they married on January 20, 1968. Jim graduated from Eastern Montana College and their first daughter, Staci, was born in Billings later that year. They moved to Great Falls where Jim taught school in Fort Shaw and then became principal. His students loved him and continued to keep in touch over the years. Their second daughter, Kris, was born in 1975 and Jim transitioned to the business world of banking and financial planning.

Jim loved to play golf with his Wednesday night buddies and go on annual golf trips to Whitefish. Jim was a huge sports fan and especially loved Notre Dame. He was able to attend some games and knew the statistics for each player. He never missed a grandkids’ game and there is no distance he wouldn't travel for them. Family was the most important part of Jim's life. He was the glue that kept us together including "mandatory fun" playing baseball in the field outside of Neihart, going on golf cart rides in the park, going to breakfast and bowling on Saturdays, camping trips, and entertaining the out-of-state cousins at Memorial Falls. Jim knew a lot about history and would always quiz the grandkids on presidents and state capitals. The grandkids remember always getting measured to see how much they grew over the years.

Jim was a faithful servant of the Lord and attended daily mass and Adoration weekly. He was very passionate about his faith. Jim and Pat traveled to Medjugorje, and he was always telling people about his experience. His endless ability to make us all laugh is one thing we will never forget about him. Jim is what a Christian is meant to be. His selfless personality never failed to teach us all life lessons and he found pleasure in helping others to see their happiness. He was the most loving, forgiving, generous, and understanding man that we were so blessed to call ours.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Patti; sisters, Marilyn Hogan, Irene Christianson, and Kathy Matson; double cousins, Mike Conroy, Mary Zimmer, and Carol Swoboda. They were the best of friends growing up and remained close until their passing.

Jim leaves behind his special friend, Candye Pierson; daughters, Staci (Trampus) Corder and Kris (Jason) Green; grandkids, Taylor (Erica) Ferradas, Nikki (JD) Hardy, Casha Corder, Maddie, Avery and Jacie Green; and great-grandkids, Landon and Coleman Ferradas.

He created and left a beautiful legacy with memories we will cherish forever. We love you and already miss you, Big Daddy.