James A. Rea, a life-long resident of Bowman, passed away on January 22, 2026, in Billings, MT.

Grave side services with military rights will be held at the Bowman Cemetery on January 30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m..  A coffee and pie reception in honor of Jim will be held at the Methodist Church following the service.

Visitation for Jim will be on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 7-9 at the Krebsbach and Kulseth funeral home chapel.

James Arthur Rea was born on April 3, 1939, in Bowman.  He was the older of two children born to Arthur and Ruby (Stuber) Rea.  His sister Geraldine (Jerry) joined the family the followingyear.  Jim attended Bowman Public Schools and completed his GED in the Air Force.  He decided to join the Air Force in 1960where he served as an aircraft mechanic for four years prior tohis honorable discharge in 1964.  Jim mostly worked on the B52 and C130 planes for the Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM.

During his time in Albuquerque, he met Grace Kromminga, who became his bride on September 10, 1961, in Monticello, IA.  Their only child, Nadine Dell Rea Ueno completed their family on September 21, 1962.  The new family returned to Bowman upon his discharge in 1964.  Jim started employment at the Stuber Furniture and Appliance for approximately seven years.

Bob Burdette, a lifelong friend, encouraged Jim to begin farming the family's land located on the Bowman/Slope County line.  He and Grace were successful farmers for more than 45 years.  He took great pride in his equipment and the farming practices he developed.

Jim and Grace, who held private pilot licenses, enjoyed flying the great blue skies as they traveled to see family and friends. If they were not flying, they enjoyed traveling in the open air on their motorcycles.  Jim enjoyed hunting, reading, machine work, milling, visiting the family farm and seeing the countryside.  He had a sweet tooth and always had time for pie and ice cream.

Jim is survived by his son-in-law, Toshiaki Ueno; sisters-in-law, Gloria and Freda; Stuber cousins; and Pope/Kromminga cousins.  He is also survived by his guardians, Dawn Heick and Kevin Thompson.

He was deceased by his wife, Grace (2024); daughter, Nadine (2025); his parents, Art and Ruby; parents-in-law, Fred and Virginia Kromminga; his sister Jerry (2022) along with other family and friends.

If you wish to make a gift in memory of Jim, please direct it to the Bowman Methodist Church.