Jason Robert Kemper, 34

Jason Robert Kemper was born to Darla Jefferson and Don Kemper on March 7, 1980.

Jason developed a love for the outdoors at an early age, with frequent trips to the family cabins near Pritchard, Idaho, and Colville, Wash. He would hunt and fish with his dad, cousins, uncles, and friends all around northern Idaho. He also had an early aptitude for working with his hands and was teasingly referred to as "MacGyver" during his high school years at Kamiah High School in Kamiah, Idaho. He learned to apply those skills in the North Idaho College carpentry program.

Jason met his beautiful wife Tami in 2003. He was smitten. He asked her to marry him three times, and each time she said she wasn't ready. The final time Jason told her to just let him know when she was ready. On Feb. 14, 2005, on a surprise trip to St. Helena in the Napa Valley, Tami asked Jason over breakfast what he wanted to do for the day. When Jason responded that he thought a couple of wineries and a nap sounded good, Tami asked if he wanted to get married. He joyfully agreed, and their friend Teri Gallus married them that night, with his brother, Clint Hoiland, acting as Best Man and his partner, Ken Sundvik, looking on.

Jason and Tami resided in Coeur d'Alene, and Jason worked in a variety of professions including home and commercial construction, and most recently as an equipment operator for Stimson Lumber in Plummer, Idaho, a job he truly enjoyed.

In 2007, Jason and Tami happily welcomed Caden into their family. They were doubly blessed by the birth of their second son, Cannon, in 2009. The boys were the jewels in Jason's eye, and his pride and joy. They fished, watched monster truck races, and did many outdoor activities. He wanted to share the magic and peace he felt outdoors with his children.

Jason is survived by his wife, Tami; his two sons, Caden and Cannon; parents Don and Lori Kemper, and Dara Jefferson; brother Clint Hoiland (Ken Sundvik) and sister Kristin Paulson (Dane); grandmothers Margie Skantel and Jackie Pierce, and grandparents Gene and Sally Jo Kemper; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins he was close to.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, an account has been established at River Bank, 202 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, Wash., 99202, to help support Tami and her two children.

Please visit Jason's online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.