Albert “Al” James Jr.

Oct. 14, 1935-March 27, 2025

Albert (Al) James Jr., a Walkerville legend, passed away on March 27, 2025. Al was born in 1935 to Albert James and Elizabeth Maud Williams of Cornwall. Growing up as a Blainer in Walkerville and a golden-glove boxer with the St. Lawrence boxing team, Al lost both of his parents by age 14 and began as a nipper in the mine to fend for himself in the “new country.” He lied about his age to join the United States Navy at age 17, where he earned silver gloves for boxing before spending much of his service in the Naval hospital in Bremerton, Washington.

After serving in the military, Al returned to Montana, where he renewed his friendship with the Galahan family, including his future wife, Patricia Ann Galahan. Al and Patrica were married in 1958.

In 1963, Al answered the call to educate the mass of baby boomers, receiving his education degree from Western Montana College and beginning his career at the Longfellow teaching sixth grade. He then obtained his master’s in physical education from Montana State University in 1973 while teaching. Being a Bobcat fan was part of his identity. Al taught PE, Butte History, and Montana History, among the many positions he held with the Butte School District for 32 years, including coaching many teams in many sports. Al is remembered by generations of Butte schoolchildren for his tough but fair teaching style, including the infamous two-inch punch.

Al became an iconic musician throughout the Butte, Dillon and Wise River areas. He became interested in music at a young age, beginning with the piano he kept with him from age seven to his death. Al has been an integral part of Butte’s music scene since the 1950s when he performed his first gig on St. Patrick’s Day at the 9 Mile Dance Hall south of Butte. Al’s most memorable music group that he played in was “Tinkle, Plunk and Boom” alongside Bob Kovacich and Bob Wilcox. The band was known throughout Southwest Montana, regularly playing at the Rumpus Room. Al played the drums, piano and guitar along with other instruments. Additionally, Al regularly played solo, stopping at every bar along the Big Hole River and at hunting camps and campfires throughout the pioneers. He also enjoyed composing his own original Butte folk and mining songs, which he played headlining at the National Folk Festival with the “Al James Band,” encompassing his son Mark, Toby Schelin and the late Gary Robinson. He passed this love of music on to his children and his grandchildren.

Another of Al’s passions in life was the mountains. From a very young age, he enjoyed stealing away on a horse with a pack and losing himself in the mountains. Over the years, he came to know the mountains, meadows and drainages around Wise River better than anyone else. One of his favorite pastimes was to stay the night at his cabin in the Pattengail, croon songs to the woods and gaze at the stars.

Al was a great horseman, one of a dying breed. Throughout his life, he rarely was without at least one horse. He enjoyed taking friends, his son, Mark, and later his grandson, Austin, through the mountains on horseback to reach areas that few had seen. His cowboy style of camping and hunting high country elk was more rough and ready than most friends were used to. He was the first to volunteer himself and others to a cattle drive or to stop for a trout stream.

Al was a local living legend in Butte. This was assisted by his interest in history and genealogy. The Butte Archives have an “Al James Collection.” He not only knew everyone, but he knew their parents, how they were related to his relatives and how they were related to Butte historical figures. Al was a living resource for those interested in Butte history and family trees. Because he knew everyone, his friends numbered in the hundreds, and he always enjoyed making new ones.

Al was loved by all his family as he found ways of connecting with them. He was able to connect with his family through music, the outdoors, sporting events and stories about Butte.

Al is survived by his children Mark (Terri) James and Michelle (Patrick) Mulhill. He is survived by his grandchildren Austin (Rose) James, Rebecca Mulhill, Taylor (Justin) Howell, Logan Mulhill and Keegan (Zoe) Mulhill. He was also lucky to meet his two great-grandsons, Jack Albert James and Brayden James Howell. Al is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Maud James and his spouse, Patricia James.

He was a beloved educator, storyteller, athlete, musician, historian and exemplification of “Butte tough.”

A celebration of Al’s life was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Memorials in honor of Al are suggested to the following:

• Montana State University Veterans Support Center, addressed as “MSU Veterans Services” and mailed to MSU Veterans Services, 136 Romney Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717
• Butte High Athletics at 401 S. Wyoming St., Butte, MT 59701
• Young Musicians Club at East Middle School, PO Box 4531, Butte, MT 59702

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services is privileged to care for Al and his family.