James “Jim” Dougherty, 70

Jim passed away Dec. 26, 2025 in Kalispell.  

  He was born on June 5th in Wolf Point, Montana to Michael E. and Arvilla J. Dougherty.

  Jim grew up on a small farm in Wadena, Minnesota. 

He graduated from Wadena Sr. High School in 1973. After school, he worked at the Phillips 66 in Wadena before getting a job for Merlin Martin’s Moving and Storage. 

In 1976, ready for a change, he moved to Columbia Falls where he worked for the Aluminum Plant.  He worked there until an illness left him disabled. He spent the remainder of his life living at the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork Montana.

  Jim loved the outdoors and spent most of his days off hunting and fishing. He even took up photography for awhile. He enjoyed muscle cars and riding motorcycles. Jim also loved watching football, good science fiction shows or movies, and a good laugh. 

  Jim was preceded in death by his parents,  Michael E. Dougherty and Arvilla Dougherty; his older brother Michael V. Dougherty; paternal grandparents Guy and Gertrude Dougherty; and maternal grandparents Ben and Nancy Chase.

  He is survived by his brothers, Doug (Conni) Dougherty, Columbia Falls; Gregg (Davina) Dougherty, St. Ignatius; his sisters, Vicky (Gene) Finck, Verndale, MN; Patti Beach, Kalispell; Denise (Gary) Ohs, Whitefish; Pam (Larry) Roesner, Columbia Falls; Becky (Winfield) West, Columbia Falls; Tracy Dougherty, Columbia Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

  A memorial service will be held at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. Followed by arrangements and burial in Bluegrass, Minnesota. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.