James Patrick Therriault of Townsend MT, passed away on August 7th at the age of 71, as a result of a long-standing illness. Known by many in the Townsend and Helena area, he was both loved and respected by those that knew him. Jim’s funeral service will be held at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home on Saturday August 28th, 10:00am. There will be a reception at the funeral home following the service.
Jimmy T, as he was known by many, was born in Missoula MT to Harvey and Ann Therriault on March 17th, 1950. He was the 2nd youngest of 6 children.
Jim graduated from the University of Montana in 1972. He also attended Carroll College in 1968, where he fell in love with Helena.
He returned to Helena in 1972 where he created the first child day care programs at the Helena YMCA. This included the After School Day Care and the Summer Enrichment Program.
In 1974, he entered his career as a first-year teacher in Twin Bridges, Mt. He later taught in Shelby, Mt. from 1975-1976 where he built a powerhouse speech and debate team, and directed the school’s first two musical comedies, Oklahoma and My Fair Lady.
In 1976, Jim settled in Townsend, MT, where he would teach until 2000. There, his speech and debate team frequently dominated the Southern Montana Division, and placed among the top three Class B teams in the state almost every year for over 20 years. At the conclusion of his career, Jim was named ABC Coach of the Year 1999-2000. He was elected to the Montana Forensics Educators’ Association Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.
One of his proudest accomplishments was when the Mayor of Townsend presented him with a plaque establishing January 21, 1996 as “Mr. T Day”. He was well liked by many of his students and colleagues, and the love that he received from his community touched him deeply.
In retirement, Jim worked closely with the recovery community in Helena, assisting many people and their families. He created many dear friends within this community, and was loved and respected by many there. He was very proud and humbled that he was able to have a positive and compassionate presence in many lives.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Ann, his sisters Sharon Heinrich, Beverly Ender, Rosie Michaels and a son, Michael.
He is survived by his wife Jinlian of Townsend, and his two sons Patrick and Phillip of Helena. Two sisters, Juliette LaFleur of Victoria B.C., and Vivian Riddle of Jupiter FL.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Helena Alano Club, 1432 Gallatin Ave., Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10 a.m.
Saturday August 28, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday August 28, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10 a.m.
Saturday August 28, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday August 28, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Pam Bucy says
I loved Mr. T. He was a passionate and inspired teacher. He had the ability to provoke critical thinking even if you didn’t want to do it. He was also inherently fair and treated all students with respect and dignity. He instilled in me a love of writing, literature and most importantly, drama and debate! He will be missed but not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jeff Schritz says
Jim was an absolute LION as an educator in all aspects of life. If you knew him you know…
April Toney Wilheln says
To hear this news saddens me. I very much enjoyed Mr. Therriault as a teacher! Condolences to his family!
Carol Larson says
Mr T helped build confidence by seeing and cultivating people’s gifts. He was one of my all time favorite teachers. He impacted so many lives and was a blessing to us all. He will be missed.
Amanda says
Thoughts and prayers to Mr. T’s family. So sad to hear about the loss of such a great man and educator! Class was always so much fun and you could tell he truly enjoyed his students and educating.
Crystal Vogl says
Prayers and condolences to Mr. T’s family. He was one of my favorites and will be greatly missed. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know and learn from him.
Randy Noe says
Mine was one of the hundreds of lives touched by Jim Therriault. Fiercely competitive, he held his speech and debate competitors to high standards. Naturally charismatic, he knew we would try hard to please him. Always generous, he retuned our efforts 1000-fold, working day and night to help us discover hidden strengths. I am grateful that our paths crossed. Nearly 35 years later, I still feel his influence. RIP Mr. Therriault.
Karee Eichinger says
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. T.’s passing. I have fond memories of him as a high school teacher…strict but fair. You knew he loved his work and his students. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Kelly McArdle says
Thank you, Mr T. Your debate coaching made me who I am today. Because of you, I also taught speech classes. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the impacts of your coaching and teaching. Not a day goes by that I don’t still try to debate somebody. 🙂
Condolences to your family. I hope they find comfort in the immense impact you made in so many lives.
Tim Love Class of 94 says
An all-time Great English teacher. His class was always enjoyable and Mr.T’s wit and humor always put a smile onto my face. He held us to a high standard and made learning fun. I will always remember Mr. Therriault.
Sharie Babb says
R.I.P. Mr T. You will be missed. Praying for peace for you and your family.
Trudi Downer says
Jim will be greatly missed. He was a class act. As a fellow Speech and Debate Coach and an alum of the Broadwater High School Speech and Debate program, I admired Jim’s dedication to excellence and the fine program he ran. Rest In Peace, my friend.
Sarah Hamlen says
Mr. Therriault was a gifted teacher and incredible coach. He accepted no less than our best, and knew we were capable of more than we, ourselves, believed. My life was changed and blessed by him and I offer sincere prayers to his family.
Krista Gotberg says
Mr. T was a great teacher who inspired us to do better. He loved what he did and that joy showed in his teaching. He made it fun!
Debbie Doggett says
Mr. T made a great impact on my life. His lessons on how to get up in front of people, how to gesture to make your words impactful while speaking to a crowd, and simply how to coach are still impacting my work life. I am so very thankful that I had him as my coach!
My condolences to his family and a big thank you for sharing him with us. I know he spent a lot of extra hours away from you to be with us, his students. May you find some comfort in knowing just how much he meant to all of us.
Dennis Mock says
“Jimmy T.” was a good Friend & one of first People I talked with since relocated to just outside East Helena(:also my Egg Supplier for couple years: REALLY WONDERFUL); in 2016…. Anyways, I was befriended by Jimmy T., and he received quite a lot of my phone Calls, & Fellowshipping : sorely missed,,,,,,,ESPECIALLY : long conversations, talks at ALANO CLUB, ST Mary’s CHURCH, and his vigorous & direct conversations,,,,,,,….admittedly it was a little difficult” talking “ with Jimmy whilst still at TOWNSEND CLINIC, & just before BOZEMAN HOSPITALIZATION in early August…………
Teresa (Schnur) Young says
I credit Mr T for cultivating my strengths, strengths I didn’t know I had. He was fantastic at seeing each kid’s strengths and knew how to best reach that individual to help them be their best (which incidentally helped win lots of Speech trophies.) 🙂 I wouldn’t be as confident, as well-spoken, or as critical of a thinker if it weren’t for Mr T. As I was telling my husband about him; his sincerity, wit, humor, and dedication to his students, my husband noted, “That’s why I hated school, I never had a teacher who tried, I never had a teacher like that.” Thank you, T, for all you pushed us to be. You’ve changed the world by sending so many of us out into it ready to argue with a cohesive argument. Or, baffle with b.s.