Howard 'Jim' James Spellman

Funeral services for Howard "Jim" Spellman will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ernie Bishop of Church of Christ Church officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, January 11, 2013 at Gillette Memorial Chapel.Jim Spellman, age 96, of Spotted Horse, Wyoming passed away on Monday, January 7, 2013 at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home of natural causes.Jim was born on November 23, 1916 in Sheridan, Wyoming the son of Howard Webster and Anastasia (Breen-Whalen) Spellman. At the age of two he and his older sister, Helen moved to Spotted Horse to live with their grandmother and step-granddad. Jim was raised and educated at Spotted Horse and lived there his whole life. At about the age of 16 he started delivering mail from Arvada to Spotted Horse, along his route he would deliver cream, groceries, and any other necessities people needed. Most times Jim would take a loan from the bank to get these necessities and always made that loan good on his next trip. At the age of 17, due to his step-granddads declining health he took over their family farm. In 1938, Jim married local teacher Myra Tanner and shortly after started their family. They had two children: Bobby and Don. Jim absolutely loved to farm, he was gone before daylight and worked all day long. In the late 1940's he became one of the original Flying Farmers of America. He really enjoyed that organization and the social aspect with all their neighbors and friends. During the winters Jim had one shot of Jim Beam every morning with his breakfast "to get his ticker going". Jim also sat on the ASCS board in the 1950's and the Farmer's Co-op board for over 20 years. In the 1950's he chaired the election board. Jim was the type of person that loved to visit and attend community functions. He would love to take Myra to the mountains on fishing trips, but after one day or two at the most he yearned to get home to go back to work. He truly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Jim was known to be the best farmer in that part of the country. He will be remembered as a good and honest farmer, person and friend. Jim is survived by his sons: Bobby (Beckie) Spellman of Arvada, Wyoming and Don (Kathy) Spellman of Spotted Hose, Wyoming; six grandchildren: Jody (Dan) Cheser of Spotted Horse, Wyoming, Dawn Spellman of Antigua, West Indies, Mike (Karen) Spellman of Raleigh, North Carolina, Dixie Cooper of Sheridan, Wyoming, Denise (Jay) Snider of Casper, Wyoming, and Carol Spellman of Denver, Colorado; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and sister, Helen.Memorials and condolences may be sent in Jim's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716