James “Jimmy” M. Wells

James “Jimmy” M. Wells

July 19, 1936 — November 6, 2009

MONTROSE—James “Jimmy” M. Wells of Montrose, died on Nov. 6, 2009 at his home with his devoted wife, Paulette, and family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 73.

Jimmy was born to Orie F. and Alice M. (Coster) Wells on July 19, 1936 in Alamo, Mich.  He spent his childhood in Kalamazoo, Mich. where he hunted, fished and started collecting guns when he was 14, which began his lifelong hobby of gun smithing. He quit school at the age of 16 and starting working in the plumbing trade as an apprentice under his father. He earned his degree in Sanitary Engineering through the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Trade School in Kalamazoo.

Jimmy met the love of his life, Paulette (Simon) Wells in 1968 whom he married and just celebrated 41 wonderful years together with her on Oct. 15, 2009. Jimmy worked for Bechtel Power Corporation for twenty years as a Lead Piping & Mechanical Superintendent, requiring Jimmy and Paulette to travel all over the United States. He supervised the building of numerous power plants and worked from Bechtel’s San Francisco office. In 1987 Jimmy and Paulette moved back to Michigan to care for his elderly father.

Upon retiring in 1994 at the age of fifty-seven, Jimmy and Paulette moved to Montrose, having learned of the area from living in Nucla while helping to build the Nucla Power plant.  He was a member of the Local #357 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union of Kalamazoo for fifty years. Jimmy and Paulette share a lot of their time shooting skeet, hunting, fishing and collecting antiques. Wherever the job took him he always found a shooting range and many friends with the same interests. When he met someone with an interest in reloading or building rifles he was always ready to share his wealth of knowledge, encourage and help them. Jim taught skeet for many years. His best score in competition was 263.

When Jimmy and Paulette moved to Montrose, they opened “The Single Shot”, an antique and gun shop, along with a Bed & Breakfast. Jimmy was a gunsmith and an aficionado of reloading and building rare caliber guns – reloading for at least 120 different calibers. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, skeet, guns and antiques. He was an avid reader and he especially loved history; never forgetting a word he read.

Jimmy had a gift for making lifelong friends wherever he lived. When Jimmy was diagnosed with cancer, his dear friends never let him down. They always stopped by to share their stories, laughter and offer willing helping-hands. Jimmy loved each of them, many of whom brought him closer to the Lord. He fought an amazing battle with cancer for over three years but the Lord knew he had endured enough and wanted him home.  Jimmy assured Paulette that he’d leave a light burning in the window for her when he got to heaven. He was her true, faithful husband and best friend. Jimmy, with his twinkling brown eyes and smile, will be truly missed by all. He has touched the lives of everyone that knew him in his very special way.

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Paulette of the couple’s home; his children from a previous marriage; William (Charlotte), Patty (Jim), Julie, Shirley (Gene) and Peggy (Tom); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all from Michigan and California. He is also survived by his brothers; William (Juanita), Oriel Jr. (Elsie) and Clarence (Sandy) from Michigan. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy.

At Jimmy’s request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service in celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Montrose Christian Church. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of James Wells to the San Juan Cancer Center, 600 South Fifth Street Montrose, CO 81401 or Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory.