James (Jim) L. Knight, age 69, of Helena passed away August 12, 2021 after his 5-year battle with cancer.Although Jim grew up in Billings and attended Billings West H.S. class of 1970, he came to Helena in 1972 Jim has been a staple of the Helena community for over 45 years in both business and community support. Throughout his business career he managed and or owned the Hallmark stores in Billings and Helena from 1972 to 1979; worked for Lee Enterprises at the Independent Record and then managed the ADIT; worked for several of the Auto dealerships in the area with his final place of work being Helena Motors before retiring in 2019. Jim served on the board of many Helena organizations including the Helena Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers and Sisters of Helena, Helena Rotary (was also the President of the Rotary), United Way, Helena Youth Hockey, and Gateway Economic Development Corp. He was a member of the Red Coats, The Good Lead Club, Rotary, Helena Improvement Society, Carrol College Impact Campaign and the Chamber's Sports and Tournaments Committee. Jim was always a people person and never met anyone he didn't like, he loved to talk to everyone. When you were with Jim there were not many places you could go that someone did not recognize him and strike up a conversation.While he was a great businessman his passion was Umpiring. He began his umpiring career in 1978 as an ASA softball umpire for the Helena region. A few years later both baseball and basketball were added to his officiating expertise. Jim became a familiar site at the ballfields throughout Helena in his 32-year career as an official for ASA, American Legion, MLB Pioneer League, and the NAIA Frontier Conference. He was a referee for both high school and college basketball games in Helena and every level of softball from 1979-2010. Jim attended Bill Kinnaman Umpire School and graduated in January of 1982, which was the catalyst for him to become the Montana ASA Umpire in Chief as well as the Umpire in Chief for the American Legion. As the Umpire in Chief, Jim was responsible for coordinating the assignments for post season tournaments as well as umpire clinics. Jim taught umpire clinics for the State High School Softball Association for 5 years. He umpired in 21 State Legion tournaments, 5 regional Legion tournaments, over 250 Pioneer League games, 4 Pioneer League playoff series, the SAPA tournament for 18 years and countless other softball and basketball games. From 1985 to 1997 Jim was chosen to umpire in 5 different National Softball tournaments where he received Excellent Rating Awards. Jim was selected to umpire the NAIA World Series for 1987, 88 and 89 in Lewiston, ID. In 1992 Jim had the opportunity to umpire behind the plate as the Oakland A's played the Huntsville Stars in an exhibition game where he was able to umpire on the field with his son, MLB umpire Brian Knight. After retiring from umpiring, Jim continued to support the local basketball, softball, and baseball organizations by attending as many games and tournaments as he was able. He was just honored this past June at one of the Helena Senators games by the Montana/Alberta American Legion Baseball Umpires Association for his countless hours of support and training in the umpire profession.Jim is survived by his 3 amazing children and their families, Brian Knight (Kim), Kelly Todd, (Grant) grandchildren Cameron and Lexie; Kevin Knight,(Kimberly) grandchildren Kylee and Sean; sister: Judy Fox (Dick); brother: Jerry Knight; nephew Alex Fox; niece Amy Vogel; and his longtime girlfriend Candace Girvan as well as his ex-wife Jinny English, whom he remained friends with throughout the years. He was preceded in death by his parents Earle and Hazel Knight of Billings, MT.A Celebration of Life will be held for Jim later in the year. His ashes will be interred in Billings MT next to his parents. For those wishing to make memorials in Jim's honor, please consider the Helena American Legion Post 2 for their support of Veterans and Legion Baseball. Thank you to everyone who supported Jim throughout this long struggle with his illness, there are too many of you to name but you all know who you are.