James Acher

James Ronald Acher passed away at the age of 80 on July 17, 2018 at Central Wyoming Hospice. James, or Jimmy as he was called by those who knew him well, was born in Havre, Montana on August 27th, 1937, to Ivor and Martha (Wisch) Acher. An only child, James was raised on a small Angus cattle ranch east of Chinook, Montana.

He attended and graduated from Chinook High School in 1955, and attended Northern Montana College, where he received his teaching degrees. He taught school at East Glacier Park in Lavina, Montana, and at Harlem Elementary School in Harlem, Montana. Prior to his teaching career, he worked as a door-to-door salesman.

After leaving the teaching profession, he worked for Tubbs Oil Co. in Harlem, Montana, pumping gas. He worked as a salesman for the O.B. Lund Co and Vita-Rich Dairy, of Havre, Montana, as a Teacher Coordinator & Trainer for Head Start of Ft. Belknap Agency of Harlem. His last job was a bus driver and custodian for the Harlem School District, from which he took early retirement in 1993. With his wife still working, he took on driving buses for a private contractor for the Harlem School District, and drove school buses on and off for 24 years.

When James' wife retired in 1997, they moved to Casper, Wyoming to be near their daughter and her family, and to watch and help raise their grandchildren.

James served in the Montana National Guard. In his youth, he belonged to 4-H Clubs and FFA. He was a member of the Jaycees of Harlem and served as a city councilman for two terms. He served for a short time as one of the Board of Directors for Harlem Senior Citizens. He also served on Harlem's police commission. James was a member of College Heights Baptist Church in Casper, Wyoming.

James married his high school sweetheart, Betty McGhuey, on August 24th, 1958. They were the only couple to marry within their high school class. To this marriage of nearly sixty years was born a son, Mikel, of Polson, Montana, and a daughter, Sandy (Acher) Rosty, of Casper, Wyoming.

James loved camping with his grandchildren and attending family outings. He enjoyed taking his wife fishing, and as a hobby, put together hundreds of model cars. James enjoyed attending his grandchildren's school events and traveling with his wife on Motor Coach Tours. He always enjoyed a good joke and was known for his sense of humor. More than anything, James enjoyed living life.

James was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Betty, both of his children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The family requests that memorials be made to the Senior Center of Casper or College Heights Baptist Church.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, July 30, 2018 at Newcomer Casper Chapel.