James "Jay" H. Latimer, Jr., 81

James “Jay” H. Latimer, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. His loving wife, Mignon, and devoted daughter, Nina, were at his side.

Born on April 3, 1945 in Newton, MA to James Harris and Nancy Smith Latimer, Jay lived a remarkable life defined by hard work, deep love of family, a strong faith, and a memorable sense of humor. 

Despite the physical challenge of scoliosis as a teenager, he sought out athletic activities with enthusiasm, swimming competitively, becoming a dedicated soccer player, and attending challenging summer camps. He graduated from Episcopal Academy in Swarthmore, PA at 18 winning frequent honors in scholarship, reflecting his determination to succeed. His keen wit, sometimes mildly sarcastic, was in full view by then. 

Following in his father’s footsteps, he attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.  He joined SAE fraternity and was a first-string player for Dartmouth soccer. Two years after graduation in 1967 he earned a Masters of Business Administration at Northwestern University with a focus on marketing. He called this business school experience his “trip out into the world”. It was both a departure from his eastern schooling and the first step toward establishing a career.

Jay’s corporate marketing career had two chapters. The first was with Colgate Palmolive brand management in New York City. The second, prompted by a move to Louisville, KY, was with Brown Forman where his final posting was Head of New Products for the corporation. It was in New York City that he met and married his wife, Mignon. They were set to celebrate 54 years of marriage in early June of this year. Long hours at the office, intense weekend fun, museums, and travel characterized the years in the “Big Apple”. In Louisville, their focus pivoted to community and family.  They view their most significant accomplishment in life as the birth of their daughter, Nina, in Louisville.

After seventeen corporate years, Jay jumped into the brave new world of the entrepreneur. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, he invested in and managed small national companies involved in food service, security products including bear pepper spray, insurance educational software, and finally a multi-year million dollar contracted services company to the military. He was fascinated by the speed and creativity of economic change as observed on the ground floor. As a family in Arizona, Jay, Mignon, and Nina were active in their church, skied and hiked, vacationed at Flathead Lake Lodge, and kept in touch with Jay’s family on the East Coast. 

Retirement arrived with a subsequent move to Whitefish in 2006. Jay and Mignon were searching for a community in which to contribute their time and experience, an active church, four seasons, open and friendly people, and generations that were not separated, but integrated. Their search was over when they drove into the Flathead Valley. Jay’s passion to serve found a home at the Whitefish Community Foundation. He was an emeritus board member, serving on the board of directors for 13 years, 6 years as board treasurer. Last year he received the WCF Board and Founders Leadership Award in recognition of an individual whose participation help elevate the organization. He volunteered at his church and also served on the board of the Homeowner’s Association of Suncrest where they built their home. Golfing and entertaining friends were central to their life. 

His greatest life challenge was the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2021 which shaped his later years. He took up boxing, rigorous exercise, voice lessons and other treatment options that offered the possibility of slowing the progress of the disease. Three years ago, the progress of the disease mandated a move to the Brendan House, a long-term care facility. There, with the help of many CNAs and nurses, he received excellent care and support. Mignon and Nina are grateful for all who attended him. 

In addition to his wife and daughter, Jay is survived by his sisters, Lindsey (Bruno) LaRocca and Nan Latimer, and numerous nieces and nephews. Being part of the graduations and weddings of this extended family brought Jay great joy.

Please join Jay’s family at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church, Whitefish on Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. to celebrate his life. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in Jay’s honor be made to the Whitefish Community Fund, P.O. Box 1060, Whitefish, MT. 59937.