Jim and Eileen Mee will celebrate their 50th anniversary on Nov. 18.

The couple was married  at Immaculate Conception Church in Butte in 1961.

Jim attended Western Montana College in Dillon, getting his first teaching job in Outlook, which is located in the far eastern corner of the state.

After two years on the plains, they decided western Montana was the place for them. So, in 1965, with their three children, they came to Libby just as the dam construction was starting.

Finding a place to live was a real task, and they ended up in Woodland Trailer Court with a host of other teachers.

Jim began teaching at the Lincoln School and moved to Asa Wood Elementary in 1967.

Eileen worked at the hospital during that time.

In 1969, Jim was on the faculty of Libby Junior High when it opened, a place he worked for 34 years. In the meantime, the three children, Jerry, Terri and John completed their education in Libby and went on to graduate with degrees from other educational institutions.

Eileen continued to volunteer in many organization while Jim worked at summer jobs at places like Smart’s Mobil Service and Carnation Dairy Products.

As soon as the kids were on their way, Jim took to the golf course every day in the summer in search of a job, but no one was hiring guys who could not hit the ball out of their shadow.

Jim retired from teaching in 2003 and continues to enjoy being active in the community, and Eileen continues to volunteer.

Jim was on the board of directors at CVCC for 11 years and helps out at the Elks. He continues to do the basketball games on the radio because, as he said, “it is easier to talk about the game than to coach it.”

The couple admits, “One of the best things they ever did was to come to Libby.”

As they approach their golden wedding anniversary, Jim and Eileen have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.