Jim Hadwin, 88

Jim Hadwin, 88, passed away Sept. 29, 2026. He was born in San Bernardino, California on Jan. 6, 1938, to Ida Lea and Arthur Hadwin. He moved to Pasadena and attended St. Phillips Catholic School in Pasadena and then attended Loyola High School in Los Angeles.

He married Kathy on Aug. 9, 1958, and they began their 68 years of marriage living in student housing at University of Santa Clara where he completed his bachelor’s degree in physics. They moved to Seattle, Washington where Jim studied physics and Kathy was
secretary to the Dean of Men at the University of Washington. He earned his master’s degree and the couple headed to Manhattan Beach, California where he entered the workforce at aerospace companies. He then worked building lasers at Korad, a company in Santa Monica. 

Jim loved to hunt and fish, so the family escaped to Colorado where he worked at Ball Brothers Research Corporation, leading his team building a specialized underwater laser. Since aerospace companies would lose a contract at the end of the year, professional engineers and physicists would have to move to Arizona or California, where the companies had a contract. That’s when it “clicked” he needed to get out of aerospace.

So began our family’s’ move to Kalispell and owning the first Golden Arch restaurant in the area. We all worked at the restaurant, but he worked hardest and still took time to hunt, fish, hike and enjoy our beautiful Montana.

Jim was very involved in our community. He has served St. Matthew’s Parish as a member and then president of the Parish Council. On several occasions he has prepared and delivered to his parishioners the annual plea for financial support of the church. He has served in the Knights of Columbus as Fourth Degree. He was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way of Flathead County serving four years in the capacities of Campaign Co-Chairman, Vice President, President and finally Chairman of the Board.

Jim helped set up and served as Vice Chairman of Flathead County Crimestoppers. During the Northwest Montana Special Olympics each year he, our family and employees delivered hot lunches for all the athletes and coaches. One year when our State Special Olympics Team was going to nationals, Jim, along with other franchise owners purchased sharp new uniforms for all.

Jim was chairman of the Board of Logan Health Care and loved to tell the story when the CEO of Logan Health was fired he, the “hamburger cook,” became CEO for a short time. 

In 1982 he was awarded the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Great Chief Award. Jim served on regional and national McDonald’s boards. He was a member of the steering committee for the national board and served a two-year term as chairman of The National Operators’ Advisory Board.

Upon retirement, Jim and Kathy moved to Bigfork at Swan Lake where he loved to go out each afternoon in the boat, cut the engine and work crosswords, enjoying wine near sundown and head back in for dinner. He was a member of Eagle Bend Golf Club and loved his time playing golf with his friends. Since retirement he and Kathy visited all seven continents and were able to spend winter months in Kauai, where he managed a “Hole in One” at Poipu Bay Golf Club. When enjoying summer in Montana, he served as lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. John Paul II Catholic Church and continued to be active in the Knights of Columbus.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kathy; two sons Matt and Scott; two daughters-in-law Val and Michelle; five grandchildren Clint, Jessica, Cole, Maija and Tanis; and six great-grandchildren Maddie, Aedyn, Scotland, Kendal, Harlan and Asher. We miss him.