James Berthrong Obituary

James McDowell Berthrong, 60, died February, 2007 in Logan, Utah. He was born October 13, 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland to Morgan and Patricia Berthrong. In 1954, his family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. There he graduated from Wasson High School in 1964 where he played on the varsity hockey team, was involved in student government, and founded a musical group, the Coachlighters. After high school, he attended St. Lawrence University, Colorado University, and later University of New Mexico and University of Montana. James pursued a musical career performing in various venues in the Pikes Peak region, Boulder, New York City, and Missoula, Montana in addition to touring Canada and the Northwest United States. He was a gifted and prolific songwriter and accomplished guitarist and pianist. He recorded an album, Carrying a Friend, while living in Missoula, Montana. He was also a skillful finish carpenter and woodworker for much of his life in Taos, NM, Cambria, California as well as in Missoula. His love of the outdoors began on his family's ranch in Guffy, Colorado and on the many skiing, hiking, and camping trips into the mountains. His appreciation of nature continued with his participation in wildlife research projects with his father and biologists of Moose, Wyoming. He continued to enjoy the out of doors throughout the rest of his life finding solace in the Rocky Mountains and on the coast of Big Sur, California. James is survived by his five sisters; Teresa Swayne of Taos, NM, Sonja Berthrong of Santa Fe, NM, Deirdre Berthrong of Los Angeles, CA, Mary White of Colorado Springs, CO, and Elizabeth Berthrong of Fort Worth, TX; stepsisters, Anne and Amy Hamik and stepbrother Dana Hamik; cousins Kate Durham, Fred, Candace, and Bill Berthrong, numerous nephews and nieces and grand nephews and niece. A gathering of friends and family is pending.