James Poscu Popescu, 78, Hot Springs, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at the Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center near Sturgis, SD.

James was born September 6, 1932, in Plentywood, MT, to Poscu and Josephine (Westerling) Popescu. His mother died when he was 1 year old. His father and uncle 'Jim' raised him. After graduating from Plentywood High School in 1950, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea for 3 years.

James married Margaret Stadstad on August 24, 1955, in Plentywood. He attended LaSalle University in Spokane, WA, on the GI Bill, graduating with high honors, with an accounting degree. James moved his family to Hot Springs in 1964. He worked as an accountant for Silverman Ford and Groff Timber Products. In 1982, James and Margaret moved to Gillette, WY. They then moved to Lovell, WY, for Frost Construction and then to Cowley, WY, where he worked as an accountant until he retired.

James was an income tax preparer for 45 years and had many faithful clients that will miss his expertise.

James loved Mustang cars! He started collecting in 1973, at the time of his passing he had 4 of them. When he lived in Cowley, he was very active in the Big Horn basin Mustang club, holding the office of treasurer. Most weekends in the summer you would find him traveling around the country to Mustang car shows. He was very proud of the trophies his cars won. James also enjoyed bowling and was on bowling teams in Hot Springs and Lovell.

James and Margaret returned to Hot Springs in 2004, due to Margaret's Alzheimer's disease.

Survivors include his daughter, Renee (Craig) Dahlke, Rapid City; Bryon (Darcy Schrader) Popescu, Hot Springs; Carl (Denise Fleming) Popescu, Hot Springs; Glen Popescu, Hot Springs and Kelly Popescu, Worland, WY; and 9 grandchildren, Chad, Adam, Jena and Seth Dahlke; Ryon and Rychelle Popescu; Tara, Matt and Danielle Popescu; and one great-grandchild to be born in January, 2011. His sister, Faye (Merlin) Mathews, Medicine Lake, MT; her 2 daughters and son; and his brother's 2 daughters also survived him.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Margaret; his parents; his Uncle 'Jim'; and his brother, Gene.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, December 11, 2010, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs with Father Peter Kovarik officiating. There will be a visitation beginning one hour prior to the funeral service. Interment will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.