James "Jim" Forest Mothersbaugh Jr.

James “Jim” Forest Mothersbaugh Jr. passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyoming, from complications of Multiple System Atrophy. He is survived by his wife, Becky Mothersbaugh, his sons, James Forest Mothersbaugh III and Blair Mothersbaugh, Blair’s fiancée Kelsey Baron, his sister Kathie Klute and his twin brothers Ron and Roger Mothersbaugh. He was preceded in death by his beloved black labs, Molly and Leroy, father, James Forest Mothersbaugh, and his mother, Helene Mothersbaugh, both of Dayton, Ohio. Jim’s life was defined by music. He was a highly accomplished violinist, performing with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico, Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, and Savannah Symphony, among many others. He held degrees in violin performance, music education, and conducting from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, with additional doctoral studies at the University of Iowa. He met his wife when they were both performing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and passed his musical acumen to both of his sons. Jim taught orchestra and music theory to generations of students of all ages & abilities during his 28 years in the Natrona County School District. He conducted award-winning orchestras, taught students who went on to become professional musicians, and instilled a sense of purpose, character, and belief in both his students and colleagues that extended far beyond the stage. He was also an expert in the craft of re-hairing bows for string instruments, knew everything there is to know about The Beatles, and possessed a rare ability called synesthesia, which allowed him to see specific colors when hearing music. He leaves an extensive, enduring, and active legacy in the Wyoming musical community. Jim was a devoted father and family man. He introduced his family to the outdoors through hunting, shooting, camping, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and cutting firewood. He spent many summers watching, playing, coaching, and umpiring baseball with his sons. In his final year of life, he was still able to closely follow the Boston Red Sox, his favorite team. He guided his family through his wife’s cancer diagnosis in 2004 and remained active even as his own illness progressed by riding his bike and tending a garden (no small feat in the Wyoming climate!). He had an unfailing ability to find quality items for unbelievably low prices, from cars to firearms to just a simple pair of shoes. Many of these items became centerpieces of birthday and Christmas celebrations, invariably accompanied by the story of the outrageously good deal. Jim will be immensely missed by his family, his friends, his colleagues, and his students. A celebration of life will take place at Backwards Distilling Company in Casper, Wyoming on June 28, 2026 at 2-5 PM. Please RSVP using either of these links: https://www.facebook.com/events/1467253738484520 and https://jimsmemorial.rsvpify.com/.

To share a memory of Jim or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guest book below.