James Edward Maxie, 91, retired Border Patrolman and Phillips County Undersheriff, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, of natural causes. A family prayer service will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2018 with his Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 19, 2018 all at the Malta Lutheran Church with Pastor Bob Nagy officiating. Military Honors will follow outside of the church. All are invited to a fellowship luncheon at the church to celebrate Jim's life. Memorials in Jim's honor may be made to a memorial of the donor's choice. You may visit Jim's on-line memorial page to leave a message of condolence for the family at www.hollandbonine.com . Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Jim was born March 6, 1926 to Paul and Annie Mary (Peterson) Maxie in Dodge, North Dakota. He was raised on the family farm, attending school in Dodge, and graduated from Dodge High School in 1944. After High School he worked on the farm until he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He served in Okinawa and was honorably discharged in April of 1946. He married Cora Alice Nordby on May 31, 1947 in Dodge, North Dakota. Together they farmed the Nordby farm in North Dakota and began their family. They farmed for 10 years. He joined the United States Border Patrol in 1957, training in El Paso, Texas and was stationed in Yuma, Arizona where the last of their five children was born. The family lived in Yuma until 1961 when they were transferred to Malta, Montana where Jim retired from the Border Patrol in 1978 after 19 years. He then went to work for the Phillips County Sheriff's Department as the Undersheriff, retiring in 1987 after 9 years of service.

He enjoyed all his hobbies including hunting, fishing, bowling, and his plentiful vegetable garden. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Walleye's Unlimited, and the Malta Club.

He is remembered for always reciting poetry or making his own poems up to fit the situation, telling stories, his great jokes that always made you smile, playing cards at the kitchen table and singing a happy tune. His grandchildren always loved his "big bear hugs".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Annie Maxie; brother, Everett Maxie; sisters, Mary Olson, Genevieve Joschob, and Bernice Anderson; daughter, Bonnie Price; and grandsons, Ryan Maxie and Brent Waid.

Jim is survived by his wife of 70 years, Cora Maxie; son, Robert (Billie Rae) Maxie of Malta; daughters, Margaret (David) Hanson of Malta, Debbie (Mike) Hammond of Whitewater and Vernice (Ted) Hammond of Sterling, AK. 17 grandchildren and 27 + 1 on the way great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.