James Walter Ballantyne

James (Jim) Walter Ballantyne, 73, passed away at the Marias Medical Center on February 10, 2016 from natural causes.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 15, 2016 at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby, with a prayer to be given to begin the visitation for Jim’s family and friends at 5:00 by Pastor Rand Drollman.

Jim was born February 3, 1943 in Westhope, North Dakota to Theodore and Velma Ballantyne and spent his childhood working on the family's farm and ranch with his six siblings.

Jim moved to Shelby, Montana in 1962 where he began working on the oilrigs for Cardinal Petroleum Company with his brother, Bob, and cousin, Herb Ballantyne. He met Shirley Root of Shelby and six months later they married on June 1, 1963.

Beginning with rough necking and tool pushing, he quickly advanced to President and Drilling Superintendent of Century Drilling Company. At this time, he attended Wharton School of Finance, New York, NY. After that, he would serve as President of Western Drilling Company operating two drilling rigs in Montana.  Over the next decade, Jim would find himself consulting for oil drilling operations in North Dakota, Washington, California, Wyoming, Colorado, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.  He was an inventor at heart, always dreaming up new designs of equipment and discovering ways to improve upon current methods.

Jim loved to gather around the table and talk with family and friends. He had a positive outlook, always keeping things light and fun at home. He is best known for his quick wit, pranks, and ability to bring his sense of humor to any situation, all the way up to the day of his sudden passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Velma Ballantyne, and brothers Bill and Jerry Ballantyne.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son Damon (and wife Debbie), granddaughters Jacqueline and Lauren Ballantyne of Colbert, WA; son Lance (and wife Lisa), grandsons Brandon and Chase Ballantyne of Shelby, great-grandson Brody Ballantyne of Conrad, MT; and daughter Jayme (and husband Mike) Parker, granddaughters Macyn and Ruth Parker of Fairbanks, AK. He is also survived by his sisters Gladys, Marlene, and Betty and brother, Bob. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.