James B. Pulliam

ames (Jim) Bibighaus Pulliam, 81, died Nov. 29, 2014, at his Missoula home, in bed with his wife Pat by his side.

Jim was born at the Presidio, San Francisco, California, on Sept. 23, 1933. A few days later, his father Howard Pulliam, a colonel in the Army, and mother Harriet Bibighaus Pulliam were assigned to Washington, D.C.

At age three, Jim had his birthday in Panama. Shortly after, in 1936, the family settled in Missoula at Fort Missoula officers' quarters, and they stayed in Missoula.

Jim attended Paxson School. He had dyslexia, an unknown diagnosis at that time, and had problems with reading but excelled at math.

In 1954, he joined the U.S. Air Force. Jim became a camera repairman and redesigned the camera table for the Air Force in Las Vegas. He was then classified with top secret status for serving in Turkey. There he repaired cameras for ultra high balloons that were sent over Russia to land in Japan, for spying on Russia.

After his honorable discharge, he repaired cameras and then was hired as a meat cutter for Win-Dixie in Florida.

Jim later worked as an electrician. He moved back to Missoula in 1970 and became a master electrician, establishing his business Flash & Flicker Electric in 1972. He worked on most of the stores and hotels downtown and had a loyal following of commercial and residential customers. He had to retire in 2011 after a series of strokes and diabetic complications.

Jim had two children, Karl and Jamie, with his former wife Dorothy.

He is survived by both children and his wife Pat Rousch Pulliam. Pat and Jim were together since 1980 and married in 1993. She remains at the family home.

Survivors also include nephews Lee Pulliam of Missoula and Russ Pulliam of Idaho.

Special thanks to Charlie B. and patrons; Bev Gutman and Marchie's; Shane Griffin; Louis Davis; Kathleen Kimble; Debby Barberio; Partners in Home Care Hospice and its nurses Rae and Chris; and John Locke.

Memorial donations can be made care of Jim's wife Pat in Missoula.
Read James Pulliam's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.