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James L. Johnston, 74

James L. (“Jim” or “Jimmy”) Johnston, 74 years old and a lifelong resident of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away April 8, 2019. Jim was born at Farragut Naval Base on Sept. 26, 1944, to Bonnie LeCain Johnston and Robert Johnston. The first several years of his life he lived next door to his grandparents, Avery and Stella LeCain. They provided a second loving home for him and were a guiding force in his life.

Jim graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School and the University of Idaho. He worked for many years at First Federal Savings and Loan and was president for several years. This experience laid the foundation for Jim to become a partner in the ownership of Ironwood Athletic Club. Owning the club allowed him to maintain a strong connection to the members in the community as well as support his love of playing tennis, racquetball and squash. As he said often, “who else gets to go to work and play sports every day and call it work?”

Jim loved his children and grandchildren with all his heart. There was nothing in his life more important to him than his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Always known as Grandad, he would play Scrabble and cards, take them for walks, teach them how to use woodworking tools and attend their many sports events. He would put on his team logo hat and head to the field to cheer them on.

Jim is survived by his son, Ben Johnston; daughter, Jen Barnett; son-in-law, Eric Barnett; grandchildren, Rylee Johnston, Parker Johnston, Carson Barnett and Hadley Barnett; and his sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Dan Wright.

As a family, when we think of Jim we think of laughter. He loved to tell and to hear a good story. He had an engaging laugh and he laughed often. There wasn’t an Elvis song he didn’t know by heart and in his words, “who doesn’t have George Strait music?”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Matt’s Place Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 2673, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816. An account at Idaho Independent Bank has been set up for this purpose.

The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene. A light reception of cookies and coffee will follow the service at the church.

Yates Funeral Homes, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit Jim’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com