Eugene James Elie (Jim)

St. Onge, SD

1934, 1793, Pine Creek, S-1,

Eugene James Elie (Jim), cherished father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, entered into his heavenly rest on Sunday, May 31, 2009, surrounded by his family. Jim made his debut October 2, 1916, to parents Eugene and Golda (Mark) Elie on the family farm in St. Onge, SD. He was born the middle child of five - two older sisters and two younger brothers.

Jim was always fun loving and adventurous throughout his life. Organized rodeo was in its infancy, when a young Jim decided to try bareback riding. He loved it and continued to enter the annual Black Hills Belle Fourche Rodeo for several years.

In April 1934, Jim's father died leaving him with more familial responsibility. He enrolled in the Black Hills CCC Pine Creek Camp in order to help out. He enjoyed the work, plus there was enough play time to satisfy his two passions: dancing and fishing, which he delighted in until his late 80s.

One night in 1937, Jim went dancing and met "The most beautiful girl he had ever seen." He married Mildred Luella Pearson on October 9, 1937 at Christ Church Episcopal, Lead, SD. Fascinated with airplanes and the need to better himself, Jim moved to San Diego from the Black Hills to work at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Company (Convair/General Dynamics). He also bought a little ranch in Encinitas where he grew produce and a couple head of cattle. In 1942, on his way to report for the draft, a motorcycle accident almost ended his life and terminated his opportunity to fight for his county, but he continued to do what he could from the home front. Starting at the factory level, he eventually became a Flight Test Engineer and a Manager in the General Dynamics-Electronics Division. Some of the projects he worked on were the B-24 Liberator, F-102, F-106, B-58 Hustler, ICBMs, and rocketry for the Atlas Rocket. He retired from General Dynamics-Electronics in 1975 and he and Millie moved to Coeur d'Alene, ID to be closer to family.

Jim was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Coeur d'Alene Eagles, the Encinitas Elks, and General Dynamics' Convair Management Club where he hosted shrimp boils for many years. His zest for life, friendship, and love will stay with us forever, as will all of the fun memories and great times. Although he went through a dark period in his life, he emerged whole, funny, witty, and loving to become our precious Cowboy Jim.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and siblings: Ruby Strode, Mignon Thomson, Orville Elie, and Gordon Elie. He is survived by his two daughters, Luella Stilley (Gerald) and Patricia Hinz, both of Coeur d'Alene; his grandchildren: James Harsch of Post Falls/Kwethluk, AK; Erik Harsch (NaTausha) of Fullerton, CA; Jilara Skindlov (Mark) of Coeur d'Alene; Michael Hinz (Marti) of North Las Vegas; Kristine Hinz of Coeur d'Alene; Jeff Hinz (Natalie) of Post Falls; great-grandchildren Tristan Hinz, Victoria Hinz, Trey Hinz, Anneliese Hinz, Stellan Hinz, Gunnar Skindlov, Konar Skindlov, Erika Skindlov, Caleb Harsch, Cole Harsch, Leana Harsch, Lara Harsch, Wednesday Walton, Parker Walton, Journey Hinz.

Below is from an interview with Jim Elie by his daughter Luella Jean. The entire interview is available as pdf file.

"I didn’t think much of it then--just another day’s work. I was just a skinny kid when I joined, but that year taught me how to be a man, a good man with goals and values. But ya know? Those Pig Tail Bridges. . . (choked up) ah. . .I have a good feeling that I did something worthwhile that has lasted a long time . . . a lifetime, my lifetime . . . my children and grandchildren can view it and know that their daddy and granddaddy contributed to something beautiful in this old world."

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