James 'Jim' Snell, 84

James "Jim" Monro Snell was born in Shelby on July 20, 1941, to Betty Vivian and James Henry Snell. They moved to Lake Blaine area when he was 5. He went to Cayuse Prairie school, grades 1-8. He attended Flathead High School until 1958 and then joined the Navy from 1958-1959. He received his GED in 1988. He earned an automotive mechanical design engineer degree in 1964 and studied electronics from 1972-1980. In the late 90’s he got his ASE Certification in automotive.

In 1960 he married Shirley Bear and divorced in 1968. He then married Arlee Javner and adopted two children, Jerry and Lisa. They later divorced. In 1998 he married the love of his life, Kim Larsen. They enjoyed 28 wonderful years together. Parkinson’s disease made his life difficult, and he went to be with the Lord on April 1, 2026, at Renaissance Senior Center in Kalispell.

He is survived by his wife, Kim, his son, Jerry, daughter-in-law, April, grandson, Peyton, granddaughter, Jori, great-grandson, KJ, with a baby sister on the way due in May; daughter, Lisa and grandson Tristan; sister, Donna Gilbertson and husband Ted, sister, Lois Hook, brother, John Snell and wife Sharon, and brother, Bob Snell; and numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

He was a beloved husband, father, uncle, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him forever. A celebration of Jim’s life is planned for 11 a.m. on July 11 at his church, Faith Lutheran Church located at 405 Liberty St. in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, donations are to Faith Lutheran Church, Parkinson Foundation or the Parkinson Support Group in Kalispell, please contact Marjory McClaren at 406-250-5577. Friends are encouraged to visit the website buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.