James Lee (Jim) McLain, of Denver, Colorado passed away from lung cancer at the age of 84 on November 11, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was born in Magnolia, Missouri on May 25, 1936. He grew up in Manzanola, Colorado and graduated as a Bobcat from Manzanola High School, where he played basketball and football. This is where he met his wife, Mary Ann, whom he loved and cherished for 63 years of marriage.

After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War as a Sargent stationed in Japan. After honorably leaving the Air Force, Jim and Mary Ann moved to Park Hill in Denver, where he started his own specialty advertising business, Western Advertising.

In 1961, their daughter Leanne was born. Four years later, they welcomed their son, James Lee Jr. into the world. While Leanne and Jamie were growing up, Jim spent most of his time working on growing his business and being a part of the SERTOMA Club. In his free time, he spent his time hunting, fishing, and taking Leanne and Jamie skiing.

After the death of his son in 1994, Jim retired and started traveling the world with Mary Ann. They travelled many places together, with his daughter Leanne, and with his grandchildren, Mariah, Hattie, Jamie, and Jack, once they were old enough. They spent their winters traveling and enjoyed summers living in Pinedale, Wyoming with the grandkids and running Window On The Winds Bed and Breakfast.

After retirement, he also found a new love, riding his bike. This became a passion of his and fueled many of the travels that he and Mary Ann experienced. He began working with bike trip companies to lead tours around North America and also started teaching indoor cycling classes at his local YMCA. He continued to ride his bike well into his 80s and was very proud of his octogenarian status. In his retirement, Jim volunteered his time at the airport working behind the visitor information desk, which allowed him to combine his love of airplanes and his vast knowledge of Denver and Colorado. He enjoyed it so much and was so dedicated, that Visit Denver started to pay him as an employee and eventually had him work at the downtown Denver office. He worked there and at the YMCA until COVID-19 required him to stay home.

Jim had a very clear sense of what was important to him and he would do anything to take care of those things. He was passionate about spending time with his wife, daughter, and grandkids and made sure to always take care of them. He loved a good cup of coffee, reading, and airplanes. Jim made the most of every moment of his life and made sure to not waste a minute. He always helped in a very practical and actionable in a way that simultaneously showed how much he cared and loved you.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his daughter, Leanne, his grandkids, Mariah Mumm (Dan), Hattie McKay, Jamie Rellstab, and Jack Rellstab, his sisters Mary Jane and Carolyn, his brothers-in-law Jim Eckerdt and Lanny Munson, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A private family service will be held in Denver with immediate family. A larger celebration of life will be held in Manzanola in 2021 when it is safe to gather. The family appreciates all of the kind thoughts and gestures from those who have reached out during this difficult time