James Irvin (Jim) Thunder of Buffalo Point, MB., died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 31st, 2024.
Jim was born November 13th, 1930 in Warroad, MN, to Sarah and Fred Conover. Jim became Jim Thunder when Sarah married Tom Thunder of Buffalo Point. Jim always considered Tom as his father, Tom raised Jim as his son.
The Thunder family made their home at Reed River and later Middlebro as well as Warroad MN, where Jim attended school until age 14.
Jim led an exciting and interesting life characterized by hard work. He worked in the bush cutting wood around Middlebro with his father Tom, and hopped trains going west to work jobs including threshing in Western Manitoba and logging in British Columbia. Later in life, with a young and growing family, Jim traveled to Alaska working as a crab fisherman. He also worked on a tugboat as well as in a shipyard building boats, sending his pay home to Doris and the kids in Middlebro.
Jim joined the US Air Force in 1951, spending time in Texas, Morocco North Africa and Rapid City, South Dakota where he met Doris Sandland. Jim and Doris were married November 25th, 1955 in Selfridge, North Dakota.
The young and rapidly growing family lived in various places including Minneapolis, Duluth, Upton Wyoming, Middlebro, MB and Warroad, MN.
Jim became Chief of Buffalo Point First Nation in 1969 when the role was passed to him by his Uncle Shorty (Warren) Thunder. Jim served as Chief until 1997 when he passed the role onto his son John.
Jim’s vision, determination and his (and his family’s) hard work led to the development of Buffalo Point becoming the community and destination it is today.
Jim became an avid (and quite competitive) golfer after taking up the game at the age of 70, often playing 36+ holes a day. He enjoyed being in nature and the time spent with community members that golfing at Lake of the Sandhills provided.
Jim was predeceased in death by his parents Tom and Sarah. Siblings Oliver, Helen, Catherine, Glen and Frank.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years Doris, children James Jr (Kathy), Diana (special friend Abe), Tim (Theresa), John, Kenny, Wendy (Craig) Christofferson, and Sheri (Kurt) Englund all of Buffalo Point, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, and sister Dorothy.
Jim was a hardworking, honest and humble man. He was proud of his many accomplishments, including having been inducted into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame in Toronto in 2013. He was proud of his community and especially his family. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments. Jim’s family is grateful for his wisdom, humor and the example he left of character, strength and treating all with respect.
Jim’s family would like to thank the staff at Vita Personal Care Home for the care he was shown during his time there. Jim returned from Vita to his home in Buffalo Point on his 94th birthday, November 13th, 2024. His family is grateful to have been able to celebrate his birthday and Christmas with him at home, and that he was able to spend his final days at the place he loved and dedicated his life to, Buffalo Point.
The celebration of Jim’s life will be held on a later date at Buffalo Point.
Last modified: 01/03/2025
