James Kenneth Griggs, husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend joined his heavenly Father on March 7, 2025, at his home in Havre, Montana.  Funeral Services will be held at First Lutheran Church on Friday, March 14, at 11:00am with Pastor Megan Hoewisch officiating. A luncheon will be held in the Fellowship Hall following burial at Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers we ask memorials be sent to the First Lutheran Church Radio Broadcast Fund, P.O. Box 66, Havre, MT 59501. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Jim was born in Fort Benton, MT on March 11, 1943.  The oldest son of Gladys (Duncan) and Thornton Griggs, he spent his youth between Conrad and the Duncan homestead creating endless memories with his many cousins and siblings.  Jim attended Conrad High School and began working for the Independent Observer at age 14. He enjoyed playing football, raising cane with Mickey Iverson, and hunting and fishing in the great outdoors. He eventually found his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Bonita Young. Upon graduating in 1961 Jim attended the Mergenthaler Linotype School in New York City to pursue the 2nd love of his life, printing. Upon graduation Jim returned to Conrad and married Bonita Young on July 7th of 1962.

As newlyweds Jim worked for the Independent Observer in Conrad and he and Bonita were active in the Jaycees, where he found a love for giving back through community organizations. He eventually was awarded the JCI Senatorship, a lifetime honor given by the Jaycees. Jim and Bonita had many adventures together with family and friends in the beauty of Montana's open spaces, hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with friends and family.  Jim was drafted in 1966 and he and Bonita moved to Pacific Grove, CA while Jim spent two years serving at Fort Ord, CA. He was proud of his time served and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for duty above and beyond the call of service. In 1968 Jim and Bonita returned to Conrad and he continued to work for Jack Lee at the Independent Observer. At this time Jim and Bonita began the process of adoption while also caring for Jim's second cousin Kena, their first daughter. A happy phone call in January of 1970 made Jim and Bonita the proud parents of JD, and after figuring out how it worked had four more children of their own; Cameron, Chamene, Vanessa, and Kendall.

In 1974 Jim took over management of The Glacier Reporter in Browning, MT, a paper he had purchased in 1971. Writing and editing a weekly paper was not easy, but with the help of his brothers and brother-in-laws Jim traversed the cut-a-cross between Conrad and Browning for years while writing and editing the news. In 1976 Jim aimed his sights east, for a new challenge, down Highway 2 to Havre, MT where he would purchase Bear Paw Printers and establish Griggs Printing and Publishing.

Jim had ink in his blood and taught every one of his kids, and his brothers, the routine of the print shop. Jim loved his family, printing, God, and giving back. Beyond running a business and raising a family Jim continued a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and leadership. He joined and became active in First Lutheran Church where he sat on many committees and ensured every Norwegian could have their Lutefisk fix for the year.  He was a Boy Scout Leader teaching his sons and many other young men a love for the outdoors, nature, and citizenship. During the Gulf War Jim began printing stars for families to hang in their windows to support the troops. Jim's Stars reached every edge of the country and traveled the globe, earning him recognition from military and veteran programs across the country. As a founding member of the Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club "Hats" made a lasting impression on members for over five generations.  He believed an organization needed to be family oriented and include the kids, the next generation, to thrive. His belief has helped hold together and build an amazing club for over fifty years creating many lifelong friendships.

Jim suffered tragedies through the deaths of his oldest son and first grandson, but he held the family together as one. He was devastated upon losing Bonita, his wife of 56 years, and his print shop, but he never lost his Faith. In 2019 Jim married Linda Duncan, and together they found solace in friendship and God. Linda's passing was another blow, but Jim pushed forward with family and Tuesday Dinners became a thing. Grandpa Jim considered himself the richest man in the world; his assets including his five children, thirteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and Linda's extended family. It consisted of brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins and their kids. Any of our friends were his friends, and he treated them all like his children. Jim enjoyed every get-together; Birthdays, Holidays, Reunions, Memorial Day Shoots, Camp-outs at Tiber, Hungry Horse, the cabin, and the Bear Paws, and Tuesday Dinners; and he loved them all for the same reason, because he was with his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bonita, wife Linda, son Jay Dwight Griggs, grandson Jaden Griggs; sister Nancy Kuster, and brother-in-law Dwight Young.

Jim is survived by his sons, Cameron (Chesa Gasvoda) Griggs and Kendall (Rose) Griggs; daughters, Chamene (Cliff) Plum and Vanessa (Mark Hofer) Griggs, all of Havre; daughter in-law, Kathy Griggs; grandchildren, Christina (Eric) Schweigert, Zach (Randi) Plum, Kayla Griggs, Gina Griggs, Alicia Griggs, Keiana Griggs, Berlyn Griggs, Sidney Griggs, Luke Griggs, Bailey Griggs, Sadie Griggs, and Dante Plum; great-granddaughters, Amelia McDonald, Elena and Everlee Schweigert, Knox and Madi Plum, and Ava Griggs; Brother-in-law, Terry (Linda) Young; brothers, Jerry (Gloria) Griggs and Tom (Tammy) Griggs; sisters, Mary Fussell and Audrey Brown; step-siblings, John Mortensen and Donna McKinney; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.