Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Born in Anaconda, Montana to James M. and Inez (Hansen) Foreman, Jim graduated from Deer Lodge High School and then attended the Montana School of Mines (now Montana Tech), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mineral Engineering. There, he played on the college's basketball team and, exploiting the school's then ready access to dynamite, built a reputation for blowing to smitherines the hillside symbols and letters of competing colleges. During his junior year, he met Virginia Salzman, a nursing student at Carroll College, fell in love and, in short order, sold his cherished horse to buy her an engagement ring. They were married in St. Mary Magdalen Church in Worland in 1953.

Supported by Virginia's nursing salary, Jim obtained a master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Washington State University and then went on to receive a degree in Mineral Engineering and a Master's In Business Administration from Stanford University. He later completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

From 1961 to 1969, Jim held various management positions with Kennecott Copper Company in Utah and British Columbia. From 1969 to 1986, he worked for AMAX (American Metal Climax), serving as Senior Vice President of the Molydenum Division, President of AMAX Botswana and, finally, President of AMAX Canada and CEO of Canada Tungsten Mining Corporation. In 1986, he was named President and Board Chair of Pegasus Gold where, over a three-year period, he increased the company's annual revenue from $18 million to $220 million. During his career, Jim became well known for successfully working with environmental activists, Native American tribes and government agencies to address environmental concerns raised by mining operations.

In 1982, Jim and Virginia built a home in Canyon Creek Village outside of Ten Sleep and made it their permanent residence when Jim retired from Pegasus Gold in 1989. They later acquired the unsold properties in the village, consolidated lots to prevent overdevelopment and placed covenants on all 90 acres along the west side of Canyon Creek to bar buildings of any kind. Although never an avid golfer, Jim fulfilled a life-long dream by constructing and continually improving a 9-hole golf course adjacent to their home.

For several years, Jim ran a 250 cow/calf operation, which led to a deep commitment to preserving the health of public grazing lands. Concerned that overgrazing in some areas would lead federal agencies to impose broad restrictions on ranchers, he helped lead the creation of the Wyoming Hyperspectral Imagery Pilot Project (WHIPP), which proved that airborne infrared imaging technology could accurately gauge vegetation health over broad swaths of land. Jim also worked to improve his Forest Service and BLM grazing allotments, receiving an award from the Forest Service for his efforts.

During his "retirement" in Wyoming, Jim served on several corporate boards, the Board of Trustees of Montana Tech, the Ten Sleep Museum Board (where he helped lead several important improvements), the Parish Council of St. Mary Magdalen, and the Washakie County Planning Commission.

For more than 20 years, Jim and Virginia spent winter months in Coronado, California and took frequent cruises and trips with Virginia's sister, Barbara, and their Salzman aunts.

The Foremans were loyal donors to local causes and hosted many events at their home and the golf course for senior and charitable groups. In recognition of their service to the community, they were named Volunteers of the Year by the Worland/Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors in 2012.

Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's more than 15 years ago and Virginia helped him remain active and involved as long as possible. For the last three years, he was a resident of the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, where he received excellent care. Virginia died on August 21, 2015 having made near daily trips to see him during this difficult time.

Jim is survived by his son, Matt and his husband Francisco De Leon of San Francisco and New York City, Samantha Strickler of Worland, whom Virginia and Jim considered a daughter, his sister, Ann Ford of Bellingham (WA), a niece, Colette Plourde of Warcross (GA), two nephews, Marc Plourde of Powhatan (VA) and J.D. St. Clair of Bellingham (WA), two great-nieces, and many cousins from the Salzman and Eckhert families.

A Christian wake will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church on Friday at 5:30pm and a funeral Mass on Saturday at 9:30am, also at St. Mary Magdalen. Fr. Tom Ogg, Jim and Virginia's cousin, will be Principal Celebrant at the Mass. The family would welcome gifts in his honor to St. Joseph's Society-Retired Priests Fund, 141 S. Center St., Suite 200, Casper, WY 82601.