James Anton Mathias

James “Jim” Anton Mathias, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, veteran and servants to his community passed away at Community Medical Center on August 11, 2026.

Jim was born on September 13, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Phyllis and Anton Mathias. When he was an infant, his family moved to the San Fernando Valley in California where he was raised. After graduating from high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Army, beginning in what would become a 22-year career of dedicated service to his country.

Jim completed basic training and advanced infantry training at Fort Ord, CA, followed by Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA. With the help of Flying Tiger Airlines, he traveled to Vietnam where he served with distinction. During his military career, we was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal for Valor and Combat Infantryman Badge. He served in positions of ever increasing responsibility including as Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant. He took tremendous pride in his service and in the soldiers he trained and led.

Jim would travel and live in different places but eventually found his home in Ronan, MT. Jim worked at St. Luke Nursing home for seven years before retiring for the second time. It was during this time that he would meet and marry the love of his life, Josephine “Josie” and they would wed in 2000. They shared a life of love, laughter, companionship and devotion to their church, family and community.

Jim believed deeply in helping people. He often said that he loved serving the people of this great nation through his military service and he carried that into retirement with the same spirit of giving to others.

Faith was another important part of Jim’s life. For more than 20 years, he was an active member of Terrace Lake Community Church, where he served as caretaker and sang on the Praise Team.

Family and friends were at the heart of Jim's life. Together, he and Josie had a family including seven children: Kevi Berger (Eric), Jack Hall (Anna), Wyche Sor-Lokken (Alysa), Eric Mathias, Daniel Mathias, Christine Mathias (Brandon) and Lori Thomas (Cary). They were especially blessed with several grandchildren and two great grandchildren - one his namesake, Jasper James Douglas Galarneau.

He leaves behind not only his family, but a wide circle of friends who lives were made richer by knowing him. Jim especially liked traveling cross country with Josie to visit and reconnect with his Army buddies, David Laycock (Karen) and Benny Lee Wyrick (Sue). Jim and Josie treasured the many friendships the decades of living in Ronan brought to them. Among their especially treasured friends were the Snyder Family, the Willer Family, Matt and Renee.

Jim will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to service, his love of country, his deep faith, his beautiful singing voice, his generosity and most importantly his love that he gave so freely to those who mattered most.

Jim’s service to others did not end with his military uniform, it continued through every helping hand, every song, every friendship. Every act of kindness and every moment he spent loving his family. Rest well, Jim. Your service is complete, but the love and memories you leave behind will live on in all of us.

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at Terrace Lake Community Church.

All are invited to attend church services at 11:00 am. Military Honors will follow at 12:30 pm near the flagpole outside the church. A fellowship meal will take place afterward in the church gym. The family invites everyone to bring a favorite meal to share as we gather together to remember and celebrate Jim’s life.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to support that family may make a donation to help with Jim’s final expenses and support Josie. Donations may be made through PayPal at @KeviBerger, through Venmo @Kevi-Berger, or deposited into the bank account of James & Josephine Mathias at First Interstate Bank. Cards of sympathy, meaningful memories, etc. can be placed in the appropriate boxes at the Celebration of Life.