James Owen Mcnally

James “Jim” McNally passed away peacefully in Dillon on October 22, 2022. Most know him as “Mac.” He was born in Anaconda, Montana on June 14, 1935—Flag Day. He went to St. Peter’s grade school and started high school at Anaconda Central, but soon went to Anaconda High School. He graduated in 1954. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He went to work for the Butte Anaconda Pacific Railroad section crew. He eventually was on the engine crew as a fireman. When the smelter closed, he went to work for Mountain Bell Telephone Company. He traveled for work for ten years before he took a position in Dillon that allowed him to be home in 1970.

He met Donna Eamon in August 1954; they dated for two years and married on June 9, 1956. They started a family and bought a home soon afterward.

Jim was active in his community. He was a volunteer firefighter for 30 some years and retired from Dillon Volunteer Fire Department as a Captain. He was a timekeeper at Dillon Beaver football games and volunteered at BCHS track meets. He was a proud Beaver Booster. He served in the Dillon Rotary Club and was a founding member of what would become the Beaverhead County Wood Bank. He was always ready to lend a helping hand.

When Jim retired, he started to coffee with “the guys,” Frog Hull, Don Crosser, and Jim Corr. They also golfed together for years. Jim took up planting flowers at the golf course, fire hall and the search and rescue building. He really enjoyed doing it.

Jim is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Pat Dudley, his parents, Owen and Vivian McNally, brother Gene, and sister Cathy.

Jim is survived by his wife, Donna, and children Margaret Dudley, Julie (Rod) Staley, and Jim (Colleen) McNally; his grandchildren Michael (Brayden), Sean, Mitchell (Camille), Brianna (Mike), Ryan, Taylor, and Delaney; sister Colleen (Jim) Olson, sister Patty (Dan) Laughlin, and many nieces and nephews. In the last few months of his life, he was blessed with his first great granddaughter, Daphne Allison; he talked about her all the time.

The family invites you to a reception in Jim’s honor on Friday, October 28 at 5 pm at the Beaverhead Country Club. A funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Anaconda, Montana on Saturday, October 29 at 11 am. Jim will be interred at Mt. Olivet Cemetery following the mass. All services were organized by the family and church. Please contact Anaconda Catholic Community with any questions regarding the service.

Jim was a good family man and a great provider. He will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Dillon Volunteer Fire Department, Beaverhead Wood Bank, and Beaverhead Search and Rescue, or a recipient of donor’s choice.

Dillon Volunteer Fire Dept.
405 N Idaho St., Dillon MT 59725
Tel: 1-406-683-5051

Beaverhead County Wood Bank
Dillon MT 59725
Tel: 1-406-596-3690

Beaverhead Search and Rescue
1000 MT-41, Dillon MT 59725
Tel: 1-406-683-6667