James C. Brook

James C. Brook 91 of Lewistown formerly of Judith Gap died Saturday afternoon, February 1, 2020 in Valle Vista Manor of natural causes. He was born June 23, 1928 in Judith Gap the son of John and Lena Brook. He received his schooling in Judith Gap graduating from Judith Gap High School in 1946. He then entered the United States Army serving two years in Japan. He played in the Army Band and played for dignitaries like Eisenhower and Patton. After receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Montana and worked at Murphy's Finance in Billings. During the summer of 1949 he met Dorothy Rudio and they were married on June 17, 1950. The moved to the ranch near Judith Gap where they lived and raised their eight children.

Family was important part of Jim's life with five boys and three girls. He enjoyed teaching hunting and fishing skills to his children and others and was an avid follower of all of the sporting events in the area. He was active in the Wheatland Masonic Lodge and later in Judith Lodge in Hobson, serving as Master several times, also, the Order of Eastern Star in Judith Gap and Hobson and the American Legion Post #70 of Judith Gap. He was instrumental in the construction of the Armed Forces Memorial at the Wheatland county Courthouse in Harlowton. In September of 2012 he flew to Washington DC on the 2^nd Honor Flight.

He is survived by his wife of 69+ years Dorothy of Lewistown; sons Ronald (Kathy) of Helena, MT, Randy (April) of Sand Point, ID, John of Glendive, MT and Rodney (Carla) of Big Fork, MT; daughters Laurie (Bob) Kinna of Bozeman, MT, Lynette (Tom) Ruffatto of Brockton, MT and Elizabeth (Steve) Messick of Memphis, TN; brother John (Agnes) of Seattle, WA; sister Betty (Daryl) Armstrong of Denver, CO; 23 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Andy, one grandson Matthew and one brother Tom.

Memorial Services for James C. Brook will be Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Judith Gap Methodist Church. Cremation and committal in the Judith Gap Cemetery have taken place. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Judith Gap American Legion, the Judith Gap Endowment or the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.

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