James Brian Tierney, Sr. died peacefully after a brief illness on January 15th, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia at the age of 89. Brian was born in Butte, Montana on June 8th, 1936 to his parents, Henry Laughlin “Pudge” Tierney and Anna “Loretta” (Bell) Tierney.

Brian was raised in Ramsay, Montana with his 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He attended Ramsay Grade School (1950), Butte Central High School (1954), Carroll College (1959), and graduated in 1964 from Gonzaga University Law School. Before his professional life, he delivered papers, worked as a trash collector, clerk, laborer, bus driver, ore sampler, hi-line laborer, field clerk and as a bailiff. He also worked for the Montana Highway Department and the U.S. Forest Service.

Brian and Theresa “Eileen” (Ike) Mulcahy were married August 27, 1960, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Butte. They were married 65 ½ years. They were blessed with four children: James “Brian” Tierney Jr., Mary “Theresa” Tierney, Eugene “Gene” Thomas Tierney and Martin “Marty” Patrick Tierney. Brian was devoted to all five of his grandchildren Father Jack Tierney O.S.A., Connor Tierney (spouse Tara) (great grandson Nolan), Sean Tierney (spouse Caitlin), Sydney Tierney, and Kevin Tierney. He was delighted to travel to Wisconsin to meet his only great grandchild, Nolan Tierney.

Brian practiced law in Harlowton, Montana and served as a clerk bailiff in Portland, Oregon before moving to Butte to work in the County Attorney’s Office. He also worked as a Public Defender for Butte-Silver Bow and as the Business Agent/Counsel for The Butte Teacher’s Union (AFL/CIO). He practiced law for 34 years (1964-1998). His wife Eileen served as his legal secretary in his private practice.

In 1998, Brian and Eileen moved to Pretoria, South Africa to live with their daughter, Theresa, a Foreign Service employee. He immersed himself in the culture and made many new friends. He excelled at left-hand traffic driving and took roadtrips to Cape Town and Botswana. After returning to the States, Brian and Eileen continued to reside with their daughter in Virginia. Brian grew friendships throughout the multicultural community of Falls Church.

In his younger years, Brian enjoyed the Montana outdoor life by fishing, camping, and taking photographs. He was a skilled piano and organ player who often performed without sheet music. He enjoyed history and keeping up on current events. During his daily drives into DC to drop Theresa off at work, they would discuss (and try to solve) current world problems. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. He had an impressive sweet tooth, especially for oatmeal raisin cookies and homecooked meals with loved ones. Throughout his life, Brian has an open mind and heart when discussing a wide variety of topics.

Brian was predeceased by his parents, Pudge and Loretta Tierney; mother and father in-law May and Thomas Mulcahy; brothers Keith (and spouse Frances), Barry (and spouse Mary Ann), sister Colleen Gleason (and spouse William Gleason). He was also predeceased by brother-in-law, Albert Molignoni and beloved family friend Jamison Lane Clark. He is survived by brother Lee and spouse Mary Louise, and his sister, Anna Lou Molignoni. He is also survived by brother-in-law Marty Mulcahy (spouse Kay), sisters-in-law Betty Houchin, Colleen Griffith, and Danette Mulcahy. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life mass will take place on Monday, 29 June at 11 am on St. Patrick's Church, 329 W Mercury St, Butte, MT 59701.  

Brian was a lifelong Catholic and took great comfort in his faith particularly in his later years. He predicted the next Pope would not only be an American but also an Augustinian, which came true when Pope Leo XIV was elected. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to support the Augustinian Order at https://donorbox.org/augustinian-annual-fund