SHERIDAN, Wyo. James E. (Jim) Dowling, 68, lifelong resident of Sheridan County, passed away Sunday, June 14, 1998, at the Sheridan County Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Sheridan County, April 21, 1930, the son of Lawrence and Gladys (Brown) Dowling. Jim married Mary Bocca, also of Sheridan, on May 30, 1950, at Holy Name Church.

After service with the U.S. Marine Corp, he returned to Sheridan and started work at First Interstate Bank (Bank of Commerce) on Nov. 15, 1948. He semi-retired earlier this year after a 50-year career in banking and community service. He enjoyed his many loyal customers/co-workers and for years promoted the bank's "Heritage Club" Annual Party.

Jim was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church, Sheridan Elks Club 520, the American Legion and Sheridan Jaycees in which he served as president both on the local and state level. He was recognized as Jaycee International Senator, a national honor. He served for many years as treasurer of Bill Eaton Day, the Sheridan City Planning Commission, and secretary of the Big Horn Executive Club. He worked on the political campaigns for Sens. Al Simpson and Clifford Hansen and Gov. Stan Hathaway for state and national offices.

Interests included the family's mountain cabin, fishing, hunting, family and community activities and various collecting activities.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Sheridan; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Beverly of Cheyenne; a son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Cinda of Ham Lake, Minn.; a sister and brother-in-law, June and Glenn Daie Fairbank; a sister-in-law, Agnes Barbula and her husband, Frank, all of Sheridan; four grandchildren, Margaret, Elizabeth, Matthew and Michelle Dowling, all of Cheyenne; two nieces, Barb Bennick of Sheridan and Jerri Bagley of Elko, Nev.; and three nephews, Jeff Fairbank of Sheridan, Glenn Fairbank Jr. of Shanee, Kan., and Dan Fairbank of Nemah, Wash.

Vigil services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 1998, at Kane Funeral Home. Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 1998, at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Ron Stolcis officiating. Cremation and inurnment will follow at a later date.

Memorials and remembrances may be made to the James E. (Jim) Dowling Scholarship Fund at Sheridan College in care of Delphine Toner, First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 2007, Sheridan, Wyo. 82801.

The Billings Gazette - June 17, 1998.