James Paro
Death is more universal than life. Everyone dies, but not everyone lives. Jim lived. We love you.
James Ernest Paro, 77, passed away at his home in Ronan, Mont., on Aug. 14, 2018. Jim was born in St. Ignatius, Mont., on Oct. 23, 1940, to Lester Paro Sr. and Mildred Paro. He was raised in Hot Springs, Mont.
Jim graduated from Hot Springs and went on to attend college at Northern Montana, Montana State University, University of Montana, and taught at Purdue University for the Ph.D program as a professor. Jim received numerous writing and literary awards, including five first places and two Best of Contest awards in Purdue University’s annual Literary Awards competition. He was awarded second prize, Best of Year for Fiction, from the Miscellany, a literary magazine. Jim published several poems, stories and articles in various publications.
Jim married Diane Mason of Hot Springs in 1963 and has a son, Kent Paro. Jim and Diane divorced in 1976. After a very long courtship he married Kristine Snyder.
Jim worked various jobs for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. From 1982 to 1987, he was the department head of CSKT Natural Resources Department. From 1987 to 1993, he was the president of S&K Electronics. For a short time, he was Comprehensive Grant Administrator for S&K Housing Authority, Health Systems Planner for Tribal Health from 1995-1998, and for a short time he was administrative Services Division Manager for Tribal Health. In 2001, Jim went to S&K Technologies as a management consultant and later was promoted to Aero Space as CEO. He retired in 2016 to his recliner.
Jim loved hunting with his brother, Tom (Freddie), and he also loved golfing with his buddies. He was a great pool player and bowler and loved horseshoes. Jim served two years as tribal representative to the Flathead Basin Commission, a regional interagency environmental planning and oversight group. He served two terms on Board of Directors of MIssion Mountain Country Club at Ronan during the building of the golf course and clubhouse. He served as chairman of the Clubhouse Committee during clubhouse planning and construction. His hobbies and interests included hunting and fishing, reading, writing, golf, pool and cooking.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lester Paro, Jr., and sisters Karen Knight and Glena Winebrenner.
Jim is survived by his wife, Kristine Paro; and his children, Kent (Chrissy) Paro, Amber (Chris) White, Carl (Dillon) Bishop, and Jeff (Danielle) Thill.
He leaves his grandchildren, Payton, Kiley, Chantae, Trista, Savannah, Andrew, Brook and Jace, and his beloved great-grandchild Josephine; siblings, Toni Mitchell, Penny Ross and Thomas Paro, all from Ronan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Ronan Community Center. Food will be provided. Bring your smiles and stories.
“I’ll Miss You Bucko!”
With all of the love in my heart,
Krissy