James A. Molledahl

On June 6, 2025, James Arthur Molledahl, age 80, with family by his side, ended his battle with kidney failure and multiple cancers, triumphantly ending his fight and casting disease to earth. The cost of this victory was high, forcing James to shed his earthly body and ascend into the arms of his passed friends, loved ones, and his savior Jesus Christ.

James was born in LaCrosse, WI. in 1944 to James M. and Dora Mae Molledahl (Denison). James was raised by his grandmother, Mildred Denison, after his mother passed away at an early age and while his father was overseas in multiple countries during World War II. James attended Logan High School before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1965.

In the Air Force, James was active in the Vietnam War, serving in Thailand servicing military aircraft. After returning stateside James and his young family were stationed in Colorado, and then Altus, OK in 1973, where he made his home for 45 years. James moved up the Air Force ranks and continued his education earning Masters Degrees attending Cameron University.

James was extremely proud of his service, active 21 years, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring in 1986. After retirement, James went to work with the Southwest Community Action Group as a bus driver and competed in multiple “bus rodeos” during his 10+ years in this role. James also participated in many civic and volunteer groups including the Masons, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Woodmen of the World, and the Altus Area Amateur Radio Association. Additionally, James was active in his church, Our Savior Lutheran Church, acting in many leadership and support roles.

James was always on the go, travelling for conventions, events, and to visit friends and family across the U.S. In 2018 James moved to Wisconsin with his sons family. During the time with “The Molledahl Boys” James continued to be active, attending Ham Radio Conventions, Shrekfests, and assorted military groups. In 2019 the gang moved to South Carolina where James would spend time on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. In 2021 James moved back to Altus at Tamarack Assisted Living reconnecting with his Oklahoma friends, before moving to Benedictine Living – Saint Annes Extended Health Care in Winona, MN in 2023. At Saint Annes, James was out and about, engaged with the St. Annes teams and building relationships with his fellow residents. James loved soaking in the sunshine and reading books on the patio, scenic bus tours, playing bingo, and at mealtimes you would find him with his friends Franz and Mike.

James is survived by his children James W. Molledahl (Raya, spouse) and Leah Hughes (Rodney, spouse), five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Family will hold a private ceremony with full military honors in the near future. In lieu of flowers, James asked that gifts be sent to the VFW Post 4876 in Altus, OK in memory of James Arthur Molledahl.