James Leroy Selby Sr. age 75, of Faith, SD passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 24th, 2017, at Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings, MT surrounded by his family. Service of Remembrance for Jim will be Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Terry Bottjen officiating at the Faith Community Center. Burial will follow in the Faith Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the Community Legion Hall on Main Street in Faith. Join the family for visitation at the Faith Area Memorial Chapel of Evanson-Jensen Funeral Homes in Faith Tuesday evening May 30, 2017 from 3 to 8 PM. Jim endured a major heart attack in 2003. Since that health crisis he was forced to retire but put up a good fight to remain active with the help and love of his family and friends.

Jim was born in Faith to Oliver and Nettie (Hart) Selby June 13, 1941 where he lived a majority of his life. The family also lived in various communities and at the time moved all over Meade County being stationed at Fairpoint, Opal, Red Owl, Stoneville, Union Center and Sturgis. Jim was blessed with the love and caring hands of his older sisters. His oldest sister Evelyn whom he cherished took care of he and his siblings during wintertime in Faith. The kids would then return to the country with Oliver and Nettie during the summers.


Dad often told the story of he and his younger sister Joann playing in the outhouse when a tornado came up and knocked the outhouse over. Back then the county had the toilets on wheels for moving ease. After being dislodged the toilet went down the hill where below laid a dam and the tongue came inches from the dam. While shaking his head and laughing he told how they both had their heads out the toilet holes screaming. All ended well but it was an experience they never forgot.


Adventures of Jim, siblings and friends were many. He shared many stories of his childhood memories and the many trips to stock dams, fishing or hunting adventures up the section line. A simple carefree life provided them many hours of entertainment. He attended school at Faith for grades one through nine. In 1956 Jim quit school to work with his dad and brother Harry in the family business, Selby Construction. In 1959 he went to work for the late Pete Carmichael, Sr. of Meadow. He loved and appreciated the kind and caring manners of his employer.


James and Janice (Jensen) Selby were married on August 21, 1960 at Sturgis, SD. Jim quit working for Pete and joined the National Guard in February 1961, serving six months of basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. His father passed away in June of 1961, Jim and Janice moved to Rapid City, SD where he took his father's position working for Roy Barnhart Construction as truck driver. He worked only the month of August when he was called back on active duty during the Cuban Crisis. He served in Ft. Lewis, WA for 10 months before returning to Rapid City to resume his employment with construction. Janice remained in Rapid City while Jim served his time in the guards.


Jim took a job with the Meade County Highway Dept. as a heavy equipment operator in 1963. A majority of his time was spent in the Red Owl community. His heart was always at it's happiest when he was building and maintaining roads for the county or construction companies with the equipment. He was talented when it came to knowing what it took to keep the roads in great shape for the country people. He spent many years plowing snow and helping people after major snow storms often putting himself in danger to serve those in the county. For 14 years he was located in the community of Red Owl until the children were of high school age. In 1977 he and Janice moved their family to Faith where they have lived since. He took a position as Meade County Highway Superintendent for several years until he resigned. He returned to work with heavy equipment building roads for construction companies in the area until he took a position with the City of Faith in 1982. Due to his health crisis he was forced into early retirement from the City in 2003.


Jim was never one to sit idle. He was an accomplished carpenter and enjoyed working with wood creating many windmills and various other wood projects for his family and friends around the community. He was very instrumental in helping refurbish the Community Legion Hall in Faith. He also enjoyed restoring trucks, helping with the farming for his in-laws in Lantry and was always one for lending a helping hand. He loved talking about the music his family would play in their band and especially enjoyed watching his sister Evelyn "pound on the piano".


Jim was a kind soul who kept his family on their feet. He leaves behind his wife Janice of 56 years. His 7 kids and their families who returned the favor of keeping him on his toes, Judy, Colorado Springs, CO; Jenny (Todd) Aigner, Shepherd, MT; Jim Jr (Melinda), Faith; Jay (Erin), Rapid City; Jason (Sherri), Ridgeview, SD; Juanita, Eagle Butte, SD and Jacque, Pierre, SD; little sister Joann (Marvin) Jensen, Faith.


Jim was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Nettie; sisters Evelyn (Ed) Young; Violet (Russell) Ahnberg; Frances (Bert) Spencer and brothers Harley (Jolene) Selby and Harry Selby; grandson Shannon Selby.


Honored to serve as casket bearers are his grandsons Shawn and Kyron Selby, Tyrell and Thomas Aigner, Tyson and Caden Selby, Garrett Selby, Jayden and Dace Selby, Kolbi Selby, Dustyn Eaton, Austin Collins and Clayton Larson. Honorary bearers are his granddaughters Mikaela Selby, Tambria, Leah and Kennedy Aigner, Shanna Selby. Kailey Selby; Catelyn and Shada Selby. Tiara Selby, Cameron Larson, great granddaughters, Shyann Boyer, Shannon Selby and the City boys Don, Tom and Chuck.

Special thanks to Faith Ambulance Service, Faith Clinic staff and the Billings Clinic Hospital for the special care that was given.