James A. Fite Obituary

My Father’s eyes;

Eyes that found the good in things,

When good was not around;

Eyes that found the source of help,

When help would not be found;

Eyes full of compassion,

Seeing every pain;

Knowing what you’re going through,

And feeling it the same.

Lyrics Sung By Amy Grant

James A. Fite, 58, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning, July 23, in his home in Polson. Jim was born November 5, 1954 in Missoula, to Fred and Inez Fite.  After graduating from Sentinel High School, he put his mechanical hands to work and began a lifelong career as a mechanic.  If he wasn’t working underneath the hood of a car, you could find him sitting in his chair down by the lake at the family cabin on Flathead Lake.  He was happiest driving around on the lake with the people he cared about most.  After many years of getting his hands dirty, his love of the lake called him to semi-retire and move to Polson. After moving to the family lake house, Jim started driving a school bus for the Polson school district.  He didn’t just drive any bus; he was the bus driver for a very special group of handicapped children.  His warm heart and patience was perfect for this wonderful group of kids.  He wasn’t just their bus driver; he was “Jimbus” their “buddy”.  All the parents knew that their special people were well taken care when they sent them off to school in the morning, and knew that Jim would safely return them at the end of the day.  He cherished all the kids that rode on his bus, and found lasting friendships in the aides that were with him every day. Jim’s philosophy on life can be summed up in a short quote by Sir Winston Churchill “We make of living by what we get, we make of life by what we give.” The sudden loss of Jim left his family and friends wishing for one more day, one more of his belly laughs, one more of his warm bear hugs, one more whistled song.  He will be greatly missed by many, but never forgotten.  This life may have lost a great man, but God has gained a perfect angel. The family made the decision to donate Jim’s eyes.  Be sure to look into the eyes of all passersby; you may see him again if you look close enough. He is survived by his wife Roxanna Dennison/Fite; son Brian Fite and wife Sabrina Fite; daughter Renee Quintana and husband Brandon Quintana; grandchildren Kinzie, Karson, and Kaydon Quintana; step-daughter Allison Dennison; Roxanna’s sons Colt Hapner, and Travis Dennison and wife Cassie Dennison, and daughters Kiara, Hailey, Lexie, and twins Elsye and Embry;  brother Tom Fite; bother-in-law Floyd Baldry; niece and nephew Jeannette Davidson and Jake Baldry and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by grandparents Rudy and Dorothy Hochhalter; parents Fred and Inez Fite and sister Diane Baldry.