James A. Eversole

– Dr. James (Jim) Atlee Eversole, 85, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away of natural causes the night of January 23rd, 2015.
Jim was born August 1, 1929 in Lexington, Kentucky to his parents Theodore Roosevelt Eversole and Hazel Atlee Eversole. Jim attended primary school in London, KY, and later finished high school in Louisville, KY. He went on to study music composition with Frank Prindl and trombone performance with William Worrel at the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. After graduation he served two years in the United States Army, initially as a heavy artillery repairman on the eastern seaboard of the U.S., and then as a composer, arranger, and trombonist with the 313th Army Band at Camp Rucker, Alabama. In 1953 Jim left the Army to study composition with Scott Huston and Charles Hamm and trombone performance with Ernst (Ernie) Glover at the Cincinnati Conservatory. While studying he also had the marvelous opportunity to play in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, sitting between his teacher Ernie Glover and noted bass trombonist Betty Glover.
Jim earned his Master's degree at the Cincinnati Conservatory in 1954, and then was appointed director of bands at the University of Montana in 1955, a position in which he served until 1963. He was a beloved teacher and mentor to his students at the U of M, where he also taught trombone and low brass.
In 1963, though vowing to return to Montana, he took leave of the mountains where he loved to hunt and fish and moved to New York City to study composition with Ralph Wilkerson and earn his doctorate at Columbia University. Upon completion of his degree, Dr. Eversole joined the faculty at the University of Connecticut teaching composition and music literature beginning in 1966. In 1979 Jim married Ellen Manning of Missoula and they made their home in Storrs, Connecticut, where they adopted their daughter, Kerri Eversole in 1983. In 1989 Jim retired from the University of Connecticut and they moved back to Missoula, Montana. Though Jim and Ellen divorced in 1995, they remained in Missoula.
In 1996 Jim married Mary Ellen (Robertson) Eversole in Missoula, MT, where they have lived and both been active in the music community until recently.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Eversole (who was at his bedside at the time of his death) as well as by his brother Jack Eversole, sister Anne Asay, numerous nieces and nephews, step-children David, Dale, and Drake Manning, Christi Thorsell, daughter Kerri Eversole, step-son Jemmie Robertson, and grandchildren Karsen Butler, Tristan Butler, and James Robertson.
Jim was an active composer and had his compositions performed at Carnegie Hall, the Music Educators National Conference, the University of Connecticut, and in many communities around the U.S. His first opera, Bessie, based upon a short story by Montana author Dorothy M. Johnson, was performed in Connecticut and at the University of Montana. His compositions include pieces for bands, over forty songs, brass quintets, pieces for trombone and brass instruments, choral works, two operas and organ pieces. Many of his pieces have been performed in Missoula and throughout Montana by various high school bands and orchestras, in churches, and by the Missoula Mendelssohn Club, the Missoula Community Concert Band, and the Montana Trombone Chorale which featured his works on a European tour in 2003. He was a National Endowment for the Arts Fellow and was commissioned to write many works, including Ishtar: Music of the Realm for the Tampa Bay Symphony.
In retirement Jim followed in his father's footsteps and became an active member within Kiwanis International. He served in the Missoula Kiwanis Club and later started the Missoula Grant Creek Kiwanis Club. Jim worked tirelessly raising funds to help children in need and served as an officer locally, and internationally as Governor of the Montana District of Kiwanis.
The family wishes to thank everyone at Hunter's Glen Assisted Living and Rocky Mountain Hospice for their loving care of Jim these last months.
In lieu of flowers the family would suggest donations to Mountain Home Montana, 2606 South Ave. W. in Missoula, MT, 59804, or to any educational camp or scholarship fund for children.
In keeping with Jim's wishes there will be no service at this time; however, Jim asked that brass players gather this summer in Bonner Park with family and friends to enjoy beautiful music and have a time of remembrance. Arrangements will be made for this memorial concert to take place in June. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com


Read James Eversole's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.