James Leo McCain, 83, of Howard, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard. 

Services were in Howard, with a visitation on Friday, April 12, at Willoughby Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at Beach United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 13. 

James Leo McCain was born May 7, 1935, in Ramona, to George and Helen (Cavanaugh) McCain. Jim started his life on a farm, working the ground, and continued to the end of his life. At age nine, his family moved outside of Howard, where he farmed with his father and siblings until 1957, when he joined the United States Army. 

Jim married Gloria Seitz of Madison, on Sept. 20, 1959, and they continued to farm until moving to Howard in 1965. Jim worked at the Howard Elevator, then worked as a custodian at the Miner County Courthouse for 32 years. He was a bus driver for the Howard School District for 43 years. Along with his “real” jobs, Jim was the official observer of the daily weather in Howard for the National Weather Service, drove the Howard Ambulance, helped at the funeral home, shoveled snow, mowed lawns, planted flowers for the city, completed numerous church jobs for Beach United Methodist Church, and above all, was a sports fan to the core. One of Jim’s proudest memories was receiving a “Life Long Pass” to the Hanson Classic. 

Grateful and thankful for his life are his wife, Gloria; two children, Timothy (Karmen) McCain of Mitchell, and Lorna (Ken) Peters of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Rose of Rapid City; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bob and Vince McCain; and his sisters, Florence, Doty, and Betty McCain.