James "Jim" Lehman

James K. “Uncle Jim” Lehman, 72, of Livingston, MT, passed away on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Livingston HealthCare Hospital with his niece and nephew at his side.

Jim was born on September 9, 1949, in Gordon, Nebraska the son of John and Mary (Janssen) Lehman.  He attended Catholic School in Rushville, NE and graduated from Rushville High School in 1967.  Jim then attended computer college in Omaha before being drafted.   He served our country in the Army in Vietnam from September 1969 to September 1971.   His team was Delta Force, Grade DAVPRM/E4.

Upon returning home he worked with his brother, Ron, on the farm near Hay Springs, NE.  Jim then moved to Clyde Park, MT in 1982 where he began driving big rigs across the country with his faithful pooch companion, Tasha, who was always at Jim’s side.  He drove over the road for Bob Boyd Trucking from approx. 1988 to 2000.  In 1991 he was awarded Driver of the Year with 1 million miles accident free, a milestone he was proud of.  Uncle Jim then drove truck for Harry Hayden Trucking of Belgrade until his heart attack in Feb. 2011.  He recuperated while staying with his niece, Chris (JimBo) Logan.   Jim received a disability and never returned to work.   In 2013 he moved into Livingston where he resided until his death. He was a very independent, strong, kindhearted and all-around wonderful person; he was always willing to help others but never drawing attention to himself.

After moving to Livingston Uncle Jim found another “family” to spend time with.  The 49’er was a special place for him as he met friends almost every morning for breakfast as well as long conversations with a lot of good people and friends, especially Mike Gomez. Sundays were the only day that you might not find Jim at the 49’er. He was home watching football, rooting for the Broncos, and then watching NASCAR, a true passion of his; Saturday afternoons he was rooting on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, his home team. We send a special thank you to his friend Mike and the staff at the 49’er for taking such good care of him.

Uncle Jim never married or had children of his own but his nieces and nephews were his pride and joy!  We all hope you have a beautiful homecoming in heaven – for sure there anyway!

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Joan Campbell, Joyce Lahaye & Janice Lehman, brothers Ron Lehman and Dale Lehman, also a brother-in-law, Buff Campbell and sister-in-law, Doris Lehman and nephews Bryan Lahaye & Greg Lehman

He is survived by his sister, Jan (Al) Weiser of Wheatland, WY; sister-in-law, Sherri Lehman and brother-in-law, Gary Lahaye; and the following nieces and nephews:   Linda Jackson, Jack Jackson, Larry Jackson, Shelley Plummer, Doug Lehman, Angie Burt, Todd Lehman, Scott Lehman, Mike Lehman, Chris Logan, Ken Lahaye, Therese Lahaye, Kevin Lehman, Kent Lehman, Carla Weiser, Dana Nicholls. Jim is also survived by many cousins, numerous great nieces and nephews other relatives and friends.

Burial with military honors will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rushville, NE on July 14th at 11am with luncheon following at the American Legion in Rushville, NE.

A celebration of life and potluck will be held in Livingston, MT July 23rd at 2pm at The Band Shell near Sacajawea Park.

. Memorial are preferred to Disabled Veterans of Montana, dav.org

Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.