- Date Of Birth: August 12, 1931
- Date Of Death: April 16, 2019
- State: Montana
James “Jim” Otis Boyette, 87, passed away on 16 April 2019, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, MT with his family surrounding him with love.
James was born on 12 August 1931 in Chadbourn NC, to George Otis Boyette and Kiva Lina (Brown) Boyette. He finished High School in only 3 years at the age of 16. He then continued to work at the family Otis Wholesalers and Boyette Grocery Store.
He enlisted in the Air Force on 19 July 1950. On 13 October 1953 he entered Officer Training Course. James retired from active duty as a Major on 31 July 1970 as a Master Navigator, having served two tours in Vietnam where he had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He married Alice Anna (Mowatt) on 02 August 1957. They celebrated 42 years together. James worked as the Business Manager at the Montana State Prison from 1971-1977. Then moved on to selling Prudential Securities and Insurance in Missoula and Kalispell until his full retirement. James earned a Sociology degree in 1976 and a Business Administration degree in 1979 from the University of Montana.
James lived in Bigfork, MT for over 29 years where he enjoyed feeding the wild turkey, working on old vehicles and remodeling his home.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and four brothers (George Otis, Charles Otis, William Otis, and Robert Otis). He is survived by his five children (Sherri Elizabeth Boyette of Salt Lake City, Rebecca Ann Kress of Missoula, James Kevin Boyette (Hiromi) of Tomah WI, Michael Scott Boyette (Jeanette) of Salt Lake City, and Edwin Arlington Boyette (Yun) of Reston VA) plus six grandchildren (Dalis, Jessica, Brandon, Frankie, Kody, Parker, and Michaela).
