Longtime Billings resident and tavern owner, James Robert "Jim" Mankin, 67, passed away Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Billings Clinic Hospital, following a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer.
He was featured in the August, 2006 Montana Tavern Times upon his noteworthy retirement. In that story Roger Porter wrote, "(Mankin's) first tavern venture was working at the Alta Club in Miles City and from there he moved to Billings and bought the Western Bar in downtown Billings in 1971.
"After operating the Western for 12 years he opted for a little time off but came back to the Billings bar business in 1986 when he opened the Moosebreath Saloon, an establishment he built from scratch."
The Tavern Times story continued, "Today we hear about labor shortages and difficulties in every industry, with the hospitality business being no exception. However, to Jim that isn't something new as he recalls working many long hours and then grabbing only three or four hours sleep.
"And many hours he must have spent on the job, for at one time he was involved in the operation of four taverns in Billings.
"As if the demands of owning a tavern weren't enough, Jim and Connie also spent some time in their 'farmer mode' with the purchase of a 260-acre 'ranchette' in the Roberts area where they resided and tilled the soil until it just got to be too much.
"Fortunately for the Mankins, a great deal of the pressure of the business was lifted during the last 20 years when daughter Connie joined the team and assumed the duties of No. 1 Gal.
"But Connie' help came to an abrupt end with her winning one of the liquor licenses that were awarded by a lottery drawing a couple of years ago. She is now the proud owner of Oscar' in Lockwood which her dad helped her design."
The story also said, "There' nary a bar owner who doesn't have a tale to tell and Jim is no exception.
"One of his favorites dates back to the year when one of the tavern conventions was held in Kalispell. That also dovetailed with the U.S. boycott of Russian goods and, ahem, no Stolichnaya vodka. Being Stoli was the main ingredient of one of Moosebreath' signature drinks, Jim had to put on the old thinking cap to come up with answer to his dilemma.
"So he, together with friend Corey Welter, stopped at nearly every bar on the way back to Billings and bought all the Stoli the bars could spare. With nine cases in his car he recalls he felt like an airline pilot going down the road. In addition, said he feels he may have set a record for the speed with which they unloaded the car.
"A great believer in both the local and state tavern associations, he has been a member since he entered the business.
"When queried as to what advice he'd give to someone new to the business, he replied, 'Inventory control.' He says inventory control is absolutely critical to business success and even postponed the opening of one of his bars until a Berg control system was installed."
Jim was born Aug. 31, 1940, in Gillette, Wyo. He was the youngest of four children born to William Robert "Buster" and Irma (Lohman) Mankin. Jim attended school in Gillette before moving to Billings in 1955. Shortly thereafter, he met his future wife and partner, Carol Miller. They wed in 1962 and raised two daughters.
Jim worked in the excavation business before entering the hospitality business. In addition, Jim dabbled in buying and selling used cars for 30 years.
He held memberships in the Elks Club, Petroleum Club, Yellowstone County Tavern Association and Al Bedoo Shrine Temple. He was a member of the Oriental Band and took great pride in his efforts to raise funds benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Jim enjoyed tinkering in his shops, collecting treasures at farm or equipment auctions, and winning at cards. In recent years, spending time with his new grandchildren became the highlight of his days, his obituary in the Billings Gazette said.
Jim dedicated his life to being a good provider for his family, a loyal friend and brother, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He has touched many and will be deeply missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters, Connie (Todd Nelson) Mankin and Trish (Mark) Conrad; two grandchildren, Grasyn and Jaeger Conrad; siblings Evelyn (Larry) Lantz, William (Ann) Mankin, and Harold Mankin; several nieces and nephews; and many friends he thought of as family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, John Lukes.
A memorial service was held 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, at the Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West, off Central Avenue in Billings.
In lieu of flowers, family requested any donations be made to the Shrine Transportation Fund for children, P.O. Box 20673, Billings, MT 59104.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.