Jim "Popo" Danskin 1924 - 2008

Jim Danskin, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away June 6, 2008 in Bozeman, Montana. He was born in Los Angeles, California on January 19, 1924.

Jim was a man who knew no stranger and treated his friends as if they were family. His life was one of service to others, in the Navy during World War II and then as a Los Angeles City Fireman for seventeen years. The best years were spent teaching people to fish on the rivers of Montana.

Jim first came to Yellowstone Park in 1936 with his parents. Jim and Lois brought their young family here for the first time in 1951 and camped for a month at Madison Junction. After that they only missed one summer, the year after the '59 earthquake.

In 1962, Jim bought The Tackle Shop in the log shack next to Walt Stuart's station at Yellowstone and Canyon in West Yellowstone. Among those who worked in Jim's shop, learned from him and went on in the business were Mike Lawson, Bob Kelly and Bob Jacklin. He closed it in 1979, but continued his busy outfitting business until retiring in 2003. The Danskin's spent summers at their cabin on the Madison River near Baker's Hole from 1965 until 1992, when they built their home in Lower Beartrap.

His passion was fly fishing and preserving the rivers for future generations to enjoy. His legacy will be that of a man who cared for people and loved everything he did.

Remember him not in sorrow but as a man who lived his life doing what he loved most, with a woman he loved and who loved him.

He will be missed, but the memory of him will live in our hearts forever.

Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois, his son and daughter-in-law, his daughter and son-in-law, his six granddaughters, his eight great grandchildren and his countless "adopted" children and grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate the life and legacy of Jim Danskin was held on June 13 in the Community Protestant Church in West Yellowstone.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Los Angeles Fireman's Widow and Orphans Fund, 815 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90014, or The American Cancer Society.