It was a beautiful day in Surprise, Arizona when James D. Elliot (Jim), passed away at his home on November 10, 2020.  Jim was 79 years old. 

Jim was born in Terry, Montana, the only son of Ian and Lucel Elliot.  He attended schools in Miles City after Ian accepted the Chief Engineer job at KRJF.  He graduated from Custer County High School in 1960, then went onto MSU in Missoula and then to Pacific University to get his BS and OD degrees.   Jim served in the United States Air Force based in Glasgow, MT as an optometrist.  He then bought Dr. Hadley’s practice in Miles City and joined with Dr. Melvin Rogstad to practice optometry with offices in Miles City, Forsyth, Baker and Broadus.  After 37 years of active practice he retired to Surprise, AZ.

Jim married Sue Kosty in December 1965 and from this union had three fantastic daughters: Vikki Bohlman, Amy Frazey and Heather Elliot-Bartman.  In November 1986 Jim married Karen Ervine Holmlund and expanded the family to include her sons Kevin and Kris Holmlund. 

Jim loved spending time with family and friends.  He had an active life which included activities such as flying, golf, all sports, RVing, crafts (stained and fused glass), Amateur Radio, table tennis, card games, bridge, etc.  He was active in scuba diving – his best dives ever were in Truck Lagoon and the Japanese Pearl Harbor with over 50 ships sunk during WWII.  He and Karen enjoyed traveling, including taking numerous cruises and exploring various cities in different countries. 

Jim also enjoyed being active in the communities that he lived in.  He served as President of the Rotary Club, the Amateur Radio Club, Miles City Hanger Flying club, Exalter Ruler of the Elks Club, President of the Sun City Grand Table Tennis club and was President of the Montana Optometric Association.  He was also active in the Presbyterian church as well as other committees. 

Jim had a great sense of humor - he loved to make everyone laugh, enjoyed a good practical joke and preferred to look at life with a glass half full perspective.  He was always ready to greet you with his warm smile and he was open to new adventures (or a fun plan to create mischief).  He cherished his family and loved seeing them grow, especially his granddaughters, grandson and great-grandchildren. 

He expressed to his family recently that he was grateful for the full life that he had and that he cherished his family, friends and all of the memories that were made over the years. 

Jim is survived by his wife Karen, his three daughters Vikki and her husband Leland Bohlman, Amy and her husband John Frazey, Heather and her husband Sheridan Bartman, his half-sister Linda Cloud, seven grandchildren Deanna Solee, Krysten Bohlman, Erin Bohlman, Elliot Bartman, Tristyn Bartman, Samantha Bartman and Dallas Bartman and his great-grandaughter Rilie Solee and great-grandson Eric Solee and his stepson Kris Holmlund.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ian and Lucel Elliot, his stepson Kevin Holmlund and grandparents James and Mabel Elliot. 

Due to Covid no services will be held at this time.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.caminodelsol.com.  Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.