James Maskey

Jim Maskey, 47, Bismarck, passed into eternal life on February 22, 2024 from a brief struggle with an aggressive brain tumor.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 AM, Monday March 4, 2024 at University of Mary Founders Hall, 7500 University Dr, Bismarck, in the Lumen Vitae Center.

He was born in Port Huron, MI on July 15, 1976 to Jim Maskey Sr. and Rita (Meldrum) Maskey.

Jim graduated Richmond High School, Richmond, MI in 1994, earned his Bachelors and Masters in Biology from Northern Michigan University and completed his Doctorate in Biology from UND in 2008. Since 2009, Dr. Maskey spent his professional life at the University of Mary in Bismarck. 

Jim married Amanda (Haas) Maskey on Aug. 6, 2011. They made their home in Bismarck.

As Monsignor Shea, President of the University of Mary states: “Dr. Maskey served as chair of the Biology program. We all knew of Jim’s passion for wildlife conservation and the environment. He was the recipient of many awards and grants, including a National Science Foundation STEM grant. He brought his devotion to wildlife management into the classroom, and both colleagues and students were beneficiaries of great stories about the populations of moose in northwestern North Dakota. A true scholar, Dr. Maskey was widely published and frequently presented his research in North Dakota and nationally. More than anything we remember Jim as a gentle, kind and caring man who respected all life”. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Amanda, Bismarck; mother, Rita Maskey, Frasier, MI; brother and sister-in-law, Josh (Carmen) Maskey, Fenton, MI, and their children, Avery, Sydney, Ian, Aubrey and Elliot; mother-in-law, Shirley Klefstad, West Fargo; father-in-law, Gary Haas, Grand Forks; sister-in-law, Tami Langstaff, Austin, MN, and children, Jacob Langstaff, Ft. Campbell, KY, and Samuel Langstaff. Jim is also survived by his in-laws, Megan (Dustin) Suko, Theif River Falls, MN, Sarah (Cole) Syverson Thompson, Carly (Sam) Loehstrater, Grand Forks, and all their children; grandfather-in-law, Sydney Haas Tolna; along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Jim Maskey Sr; grandparents, Jerome and Theresa Maskey and Leo and Frances Meldrum; and step-father-in-law, Stuart Klefstad. 

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses and therapists at Sanford Hospital and to the faculty, staff, and students of the University of Mary.