James Joseph Tracy

James Joseph Tracy

James Joseph Tracy died June 4th, 2026. He was 75 years old. 

He was born June 19, 1950, in Anaconda to James and Virginia (Cox) Tracy. Until he was 9, the family lived on Cherry Street in a two-story house with a big backyard, two large willow trees and a mud hole where he built roads with toy trucks.

He spent many hours in his childhood with his older sisters, Mary Kay and Anne Jean, who involved him in their neighborhood games, including plays and backyard fairs.

After high school and a couple of tries at college, including a study-abroad year in Florence, Italy, he joined the Army. He spent 47 weeks at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., and then shipped off to the 5th Psychological Operations Battalion in Boeblingen, Germany (West Germany, at the time). He served his country for three years as an O4B2LGR – a Greek language translator.

He became a civilian again in 1975 and enrolled at the University of Montana the following year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism four years later after a summer internship at the Spokesman Review in Spokane.

He worked as a reporter and news editor at The Montana Standard; technical writer for the National Center for Appropriate Technology; editor and publisher (and owner with his wife, Lee) of the weekly Philipsburg Mail; press secretary for gubernatorial candidate Rob Natelson; editor of the Anaconda Leader; public affairs officer for AWARE Inc.; writing instructor at Montana Tech; and editor of Apostrophe, AWARE’S national magazine devoted to people with developmental disabilities. He was also an EMT in Granite County for a time.

When he was a freshman in high school, he used paper route money to buy a set of Pearl drums at Ed’s Radio and TV. He immediately began annoying his neighbors by playing along on records like “Love Potion No. 9” and “Walk Don’t Run.” His first gig was filling in for a night with the Dardanelles at the Club 919. He later played with other bands, including the Ed Bowman Band in Butte and the Li’l Ole Opry Band in Philipsburg.

For the past 20 years, he drummed for Wes and Jack in the Short Notice Band, sometimes for money, sometimes for free, and at least one time for just a pastie dinner.

He also enjoyed jamming on Wednesday afternoons with friends in Anaconda, Wednesday evenings with friends at the music store in Deer Lodge, and Thursday evenings with Wes and Jack and friends at the Elks Lodge in Deer Lodge. He liked any music that made him tap his toes, from opera to Opry.

He took up downhill skiing when he was 62 and spent many days gliding downhill at Discovery Ski Area with the wind in his face. He also enjoyed paddling his canoe with Lee on the Jefferson and Missouri rivers, attending Griz games with his kids, growing zucchini in his greenhouse, following Notre Dame sports, and four-wheeling in the mountains with Lee and friends.

He leaves his family: wife, Lee; and children, Loretta (Scott), Ray (Whitney), Micheal Ann (Colin), and Rose; and grandchildren, Eleanor, Wes, Sawyer, and Margo. Also surviving are his sister, Anne Hartvigson; brother and sister-in-law, John (Gayle); brother-in-law, Charles Johns; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents and sisters, Mary Kay and Joan, preceded him.

Thanks to friends and relatives who visited and sent cards, texts, emails, and baked goods. Thanks also for their exceptional care to the nurses and doctors at the VA Hospital in Helena and Community Hospital in Anaconda.

At his request, there will be no services, but here are a couple of songs he liked that fit the moment:

“I’ll Fly Away” (Alan Jackson)

“When I Go Away” (Levon Helm)