Clifford James Hennen, known as “Jim,” “PaPa,” “Montana Jim,” and “Uncle Jim.” He passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the age of 76 after a battle with Leukemia.
He was born July 1949, to Clifford “Buster” and Alice Hennen in Sidney Montana. Jim moved to Great Falls with his parents in 1966. He attended Sidney Senior High School and later attended San Diego State University while in the US Navy. Jim worked as a farmhand in the Sidney area and cooked for Sandy's Drive Inn as a youth. He worked for the Anaconda Copper Company in Black Eagle for two years.
Jim married "the girl next door," Virginia "Ginnie" Reynolds in July of 1968. They had 3 children, Tonya, Terra, and Kristi.
After joining the Navy in 1969, he served in Alaska as a reporter and DJ for the Kodiak Star/AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio & Television Service). He worked for the Kodiak Cable TV company and canned king crab at Kodiak Seafood Cannery. Jim served on 3 Navy vessels, the USS Bradley DE-1041; USS Shields DD-596; and USS Paul Revere LPA-248. Having done two tours of duty in Vietnam his division received a commendation for saving 17 marines off the coast of North Vietnam's Tiger Island stronghold.
Jim worked as an account rep and later manager of AVCO financial services in El Cajon, CA, Sandpoint ID, and later in Great Falls. Jim also worked for Beneficial Finance, CIT Leasing Corporation, and Proctor & Gamble. He also worked part time for Howards Pizza/Wine Mill for 12 years. Jim and his dad started "Hennen Enterprises," a specialty advertising company in 1975, and sold it in 1995. Jim and his wife, Ginnie purchased 25th Street Shenanigans in 1990, changing the name to Montana Jim’s Casino until 1995, and then changed the name to The Brick until 2003, when he moved to another location and added Club Big House to the business name. During this time, he and his wife opened Tubby & Stubbies Casino and have since sold it. In July 2005, Jim and daughter, Terra started a distribution company and became statewide distributors bringing "Liquid Ice Energy Drink" to Montana.
He was vice president of, and together with a business partner started a promotional company called Big House Promotions LLC that specialized in bringing in various bands and entertainers like Taylor Swift, Lee Brice, Emerson Drive, Charlie Pride, Young MC, Meryl Haggard, and various Rock bands to the Great Falls area. Jim was president of J.D. Ventures LLC, a real estate holding company formed with his business partner. Jim helped his daughter, Terra, open Godfather's Pizza in March 2011.
Jim has served as a member on the board of directors for the Cascade County Consumer Credit Counseling Service. He is also on the board of directors for the Cascade County Tavern Association. A life member of the VFW, past member of the Eagles. Chairman for a fund-raising campaign for a local kidney transplant recipient. Chairman for Godfather’s Pizza "Backpacks for Christmas" for the homeless.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Buster and Alice Hennen; grandparents; and father and mother-in-law, James “Jay” and Mavis Reynolds; brother-in-law, Vair; sisters-in-law, Karla Reynolds of Billings and Dorie Schoberg; and numerous in-laws and outlaws.
Jim is survived by his wife and best friend of nearly 60 years, Ginnie; three daughters, Tonya Hennen Fisher, Terra Hennen (George) Gardipee, and Kristi Hennen; adopted daughter # 4, Julie (Gary) Fosse; nine wonderful grandchildren, Kolten, Hartlynn, Akaisha, Shania, Antonio, Cheyenne, Clever, Toretto, and Akirah; great-grandson, Kotah, all of Great Falls; brother, Dana Hennen of Great Falls; sisters, Patricia (Ed) Thomas of Atlanta, GA and Donna Clendennon of British Columbia, Canada; brothers-in-law, Bob Reynolds of Billings and Scott Reynolds of Great Falls; and lots of nephews, nieces, in-laws, and outlaws.
He loved life and his family. He also loved watching his beloved, Packers, Yankees and Lakers; and traveling time with friends. Jim and his wife also had a- home in Lincoln where they loved to go and relax. After a 4-wheeler accident near Lincoln left Jim paralyzed from the shoulders down they had to sell their home there. Jim, with the encouragement of friends and help from the good Lord, was able to walk with limitations and still managed to go to Lincoln as often as they could. Most of all, his grandchildren were the love of his life. Jim worked hard and played hard, was a big man in life, and had a heart that was much bigger. He was a very kind person who would help just about anyone and would give you the shirt off his back. He loved to help make a positive impact on many people's lives.
We will have a celebration of life later in the summer. If you wish to contribute, Jim has asked that you please send any donations to his grandchildren's college fund at 317 Riverview 3 West, Great Falls, MT 59404.
To share condolences, click here to visit the O'Connor Funeral Home website.
