James Russell Stearns

James Russell Stearns, 62, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Mont.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Burial of ashes will be in the Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

He was born May 24, 1950, in Billings, the son of Russell M. and Laury Ann (King) Stearns. He had relatives in the Fort Peck area and graduated from Nashua High School. He also attended Billings West High School and Eastern Montana College.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969 and served during the Vietnam era. He received a Rifle Expert Badge and because of his high score, won his dress blues uniform. He was a Platoon Honorman, received the Blues Award, and earned the Jr. Small Bore and Pro Marksman 1st Class 50’ Award, National Defense, Vietnam Service and Good Conduct medals.

He returned to Billings where he worked as a cabinet maker, was a Master Tile Setter and owned his own business, Stearns Tile and Design.

With a love for the Montana outdoors, he enjoyed hunting, camping, sailing and fishing. He was an avid reader.

Full obituary appears in the Glasgow Courier print edition.