James Boatman

James Ellis Boatman 82, of Mills, Wyoming passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at the Wyoming Medical Center. Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Monday, February 18, 2008 at the Newcomer Family Funeral Home in Casper, Wyoming with Chaplain Ellis Kaster from Wyoming Medical Center officiating. Military honors will be conducted by United Veterans' Council and The National Guard. Inurnment will be at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, Wyoming

He was born July 3, 1925 in Harlan County, Kentucky, the son of Roy and Orphia (Smith) Boatman. Until recently you could usually find him at Ghost Town drinking his coffee and visiting. If not there, he was out taking care of business for the family. At 82 years old, Jimmy still took care of everything at the Boatman house.

His presence far outsized his stature. If you knew him, you knew a wonderful man. Few words ever had to be spoken by him for you to recognize a huge heart and a tremendous capacity for Love. Earning a special place in his heart were his wife, Lou of 58 years, his son, James Allen, and especially his grandson, B.J. his niece, Marilyn and nephew, Mike.

Born in a mountain cabin in Harlan County, Kentucky by age 2 Jimmy's family made it to Casper. Between the two environments, a deep compassion for camping, hunting and fishing developed.

Always a busy, productive man, Jimmy joined the Civil Conservation Corp in the 1930's. Shortly thereafter came World War II and at 17 he joined the Army and off he went. With a strong sense of military commitment, Jimmy was in the Navy by the time Korea came around and off he went again. So of course, Vietnam couldn't be an exception. Joining the newly formed Air Force he again made his presence known. 22 ½ years later came his retirement from the Military. Not by any means from working, you couldn't stop this man. He came home and went to work in the mines as an electrician. Pathfinder-Shirley basin mine kept him busy until his final retirement in the 1980's

Retirement didn't mean stop either. Jimmy still took care of the yard, the house, the cars and whatever else came up. Always the leader and the disciplined man the military nourished, the man was relentless in his ability to take care of things.

James Ellis Boatman will be soulfully missed by all. God be with us and help us through this time.

Survivors include his wife, Lou Boatman, Mills, WY; his son, James Boatman, Mills, WY; his sister, Elvie Parker, Casper, WY; his grandson, Bryan James Boatman, Mills, WY; and numerous Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Claude Allen Boatman, Roy Skip Boatman, and Robert Wayne Boatman and a sister, Marie Pleger.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 S. Wilson, Casper, Wyoming 82601