James William Laux

HAMILTON - James William Laux, 85, of Hamilton passed away Monday, July 20, 2015 at his home. He was born August 28, 1929 in Appleton, WI the son of Joseph S. and Lucile L. (Sorenson) Laux.

Jim was raised in Appleton and graduated from Appleton High School in 1947. He was a veteran of the Korean War and served as a Crypt Specialist with the U.S. Army. After serving his country, he moved to Missoula and attended the University of Montana, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Forestry.

His career with the U.S. Forest Service began in 1954 when he worked on the Wisdom, MT Ranger District, Beaverhead National Forest. From 1955 to 1962 he was assigned to the Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station at Missoula and Ogden, UT. He was on the Clark Fork, ID Ranger District, Kaniksu National Forest, from 1962 to 1967, and was on the Bitterroot National Forest Headquarters staff in Hamilton, MT from 1968 to 1975. He commuted to Missoula and was on the Northern Region Headquarters timber management staff until his retirement in 1989, after 36 years of Federal service.

During his career, he helped establish the Northern Region as the Forest Service leader in inventory procedures and computerizing the database utilized throughout all Western Regions. In 1987, he was recognized for developing a cost efficient process for providing the necessary data for the 1990 Resources Planning Act Assessment.

On September 15, 1956 he married Darlene M. Dresel in Missoula where their son, Steven and daughter, Julie were born. Jim was an avid golfer and after his retirement could be found on the course most everyday with his golfing buddies. He also enjoyed following all sports, refereeing high school basketball, playing poker with the guys, but most of all he enjoyed his family, first being involved with Steve and Julie's activities and lives, and then watching and guiding his five grandsons grow into fine young men.

Jim was a member of the Eagles Lodge, the American Legion and the Elks Lodge where he served as District Deputy and two terms as Exalted Ruler as well as serving as manager in times past. He was a lifetime member of the Hamilton Golf Club and was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where he was currently serving as an Eucharistic Minister and had been a member of the Vestry.

Predeceasing Jim were his grandparents, William and Louise Sorenson; his parents; sister, Bette Beschta and her husband Carl Beschta; nephew, Bill Beschta; and several aunts and uncles.

Surviving him are his wife, Darlene of Hamilton; son, Steve and wife Nanette of Harrisburg, PA; daughter, Julie Brotzman of Boise, ID; grandsons, Jeffrey Laux and his fiancee Felicia Rapach of Gettysburg, PA, Russell Laux of Philadelphia, PA, Michael Brotzman and Kyle Brotzman of Boise, ID, Bryon Brotzman of Bend, OR; niece, Kristine Brocks of Cape May, NJ; nephews, Peter and Charles Beschta of Appleton, WI; and several cousins.

Services were held on Friday, July 24, 2015 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Hamilton.