James Arthur Hautala, born January 5th, 1946, to Janet (Williams) Hautala and Arthur Hautala in Great Falls Montana, passed July 5th, 2024, in comfort with Hospice from cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Debi (Elting) Hautala, as well as Zia and Cassie Hautala, his beloved dogs. His love for music came very early when he inherited his older sister Carol's clarinet, then tenor sax, but his true love was keyboards. James played from the age of 14 in bars with a few biggies! He went anywhere to play music, not limited to San Francisco in 1967, playing with Dave Davenport, Little Richard, Nancy King, to name just a few. With a bachelor's degree in music, James graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. In 1976, he moved east, sat on Burger King's board and then bought the franchise in Seaford, Delaware. Retiring in 2008, he sold the Burger King and lived a wonderful, peaceful, dog-filled life. James Hautala, one of the kindest, most loving men I hope you had the honor to know, will be deeply missed. Services will be held privately. Donations in James' name may be made to a charity of your choice.