James Michael McAllister

James Michael McAllister July 19, 1951 - May 6, 2025 James (Jim) McAllister (Mac) passed away unexpectedly from a stroke on May 6, 2025, at Banner Hospital in Casper, WY with his wife, Roberta, by his side. Jim was born on July 19, 1951, in Fall River, South Dakota to Irene and James Daniel McAllister. Jim’s mother, Irene, later married Zack Panagos, and Mac and Zack adopted each other. Jim thought of Zack as his dad and Zach loved Jim like his own. Jim attended school in South Dakota and Casper, Wyoming, graduating with the NCHS class of 1969. Mac then set his sights on Laramie where he graduated in 1973 with a degree in Journalism from the University of Wyoming. Upon graduation, Jim and a friend hitchhiked from Laramie to New Hampshire and then on to California. Mac always liked an adventure. Jim went to work for the Rock Springs Miner as a cub reporter, “Flash” was his name until he returned to Casper in search of a new challenge. He found it in his new job as editor of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association newsmagazine, a monthly publication he produced that was distributed statewide. Jim worked closely with his boss and future U. S. Senator Craig Thomas. Mac also worked many years as a driver for UPS before deciding to relocate down to the Phoenix area to be near his parents. Shortly after his arrival, he started volunteering at the local Sun Health hospital helping people with substance abuse problems. He must have impressed them either with his skills or his b.s. because they hired him for their shipping/receiving department. In short-order he managed to work his way up to be the Vice-President for Development & Marketing. Jim enjoyed the good life with his then-wife Lori and their son Michael. He got to see many pro ballgames and meet some of the athletes. Mac’s favorite sport to play was golf. He cherished all the friends he made on the golf course along with the occasional games with old Wyoming friends escaping the cold weather. His favorite game to watch was football, especially the Denver Broncos. He would participate in three Fantasy Football leagues, and most often he would win. In the late nineties Jim and Lori divorced. Years later, Jim got lucky and stumbled upon the love of his life, Roberta, on New Years Eve 2007. They made a great pair. Being from Detroit, she quickly recruited Jim as a Detroit Lions fan. And always a Wyoming Cowboy fan! Jim and Roberta were married on October 16, 2011. Jim needed another adventure, so he and Roberta set out in their Jeep with everything they could carry plus two huge Great Danes, Samson and Delilah, and drove all the way to Belize in Central America. After a year there, they had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends but saw a rise in gang related violence from the drug cartels and decided to move north to Casper, Wyoming for a few years. After his dad, Zach, died, Jim decided to move back to Arizona to help with his mother’s care. After Irene died, he and Roberta moved back to Casper where Jim still had a lot of friends. Mac will be missed whether it’s every time one of us picks up the phone to get the latest football score, or to discuss politics, or to just reminisce a little bit. He was an important and integral part of many people’s lives as Mac traveled the Earth. Mac was a devoted follower of sports! His life was blessed with plenty of activities that included camping, sailing, fishing, golf, bowling, horseshoes, and the like – mostly involving outdoor activities. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, his sister Sherry. He is survived by his son, Michael, and oodles of kids and grandkids who knew and loved Jim. Mac was funny, opinionated and made friends easily everywhere he went. He will be missed!

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year in Arizona.