Jess Harlin Robinson

ZORTMAN-Jess Harlin Robinson a long time rancher of Phillips County passed away December 29, 2014.

Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan 5, 2015 at Kirkwood Funeral Home, Malta. A wake will be at 7 pm Sunday, Jan 4, 2015 at the funeral home. The reception will be held after Funeral Services at the VFW hall. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Jess and twin brother Jean were born January 4, 1928 in Gillette, Wyoming to Floyd W. and Emily (Colgate) Robinson. He moved with his family to Montana to the Cross S ranch on the Mizpah Creek south of Miles City in 1939. Jess married Nancy Holdbrook in Miles City in Aug. 30, 1954. In 1958, Jess and five of his brothers bought the Lazy JD Cattle Company at Zortman. The original Lazy JD was split in 1993. The ranch is successfully operated today by his two sons following the values and knowledge Jess instilled in them.

Four children were born to Jess and Nancy; Joan, Clyde, Jim and Julie. Jess has 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Jess was a lifelong Rancher, Horseman, Stockman, and Conservationist. He was a true cowboy. Everything was done horseback, days were long and hard, but Jess never complained. He always said "This job will soon end and a new one will begin." He loved to watch good horses work. He would say "Look at that horse turn back." or "Look at the stop on that horse."

Many weekends were spent at roping events. As his children grew up he taught them his love for the sport of rodeo, roping and his work ethics. He was a director for the Montana High School Rodeo Association for many years and made six trips to the National High School Rodeo finals.

In later years he enjoyed watching his grandchildren whether it was rodeo, 4H, sports, fishing, or hunting. He will always be remembered for his sour dough pancakes.

His survivors include his wife, Nancy, and daughter Joan (Ted) Stewart of Kalispell, grandsons, Chris, Sean (Jennifer), great grandson Zane, son Clyde (Iris) Robinson of Zortman, granddaughters, Nikki, great granddaughter Lyndsy, Andrea (Clay) McCaffree, great grandson Rafe, and Lea, son Jim (Lesley) Robinson of Zortman, granddaughter Kirsty (John) Stewart, daughter Julie (Brian) Dandrea of Worden, granddaughters Brianne and Britan; one sister Mary Emily (Leo) Barthelmess and one brother James (Maralee) Robinson both of Malta. He was preceded in death by his parents Emily and Floyd, brothers, Floyd, John, Colgate, Don, and twin brother Jean.