Newspaperman, directory founder Hail dies

James Arthur “Jim” Hail II, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away due to complications from lymphoma on Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Coeur d’Alene, in the presence of his family. He was born on July 10, 1949, in St. Louis, Mo., to James Arthur “Bud” and Frances Elizabeth (Koziatek) Hail. On May 27, 1972, Jim married Cynthia Joy Henthorn in Burlington, Iowa.

In his youth, Jim was a church altar boy and a proud Eagle Scout. After the death of his father when he was 13 years old, during all of his free time Jim took on a job in order to help his family financially. After graduating from high school, Jim attended a local community college while continuing to work. Jim turned a $2 per week compensation for a community newspaper column in 1969 into a clipbook which resulted in a career that spanned 19 years as a reporter, editor, advertising director and publisher at daily newspapers in Florida, Kansas, Colorado and Idaho.

Jim began reporting for newspapers in St. Louis, Mo., Ft. Scott, Kan., and Pittsburg, Kan., followed by employment with the Knight Ridder Newspaper group at the Bradenton Florida Herald and the Junction City Kansas Daily Union. He then became the editor and publisher of the Daily Transcript in Golden, Colo. In 1980, Jim and Joy moved to Idaho, where he joined the North Idaho Publishing Company as vice president, publishing the North Idaho Press and the Wallace Miner for Harry Magnuson. The Hagadone Corporation and Duane Hagadone acquired the company in April of 1985 and Jim was named publisher of Shoshone County News-Press and editor of the North Idaho News Network. He also served as the editor, classified advertising and retail advertising manager of the Coeur d’Alene Press, culminating in being named Coeur d’Alene Press publisher.

In 1987, Jim expanded his entrepreneurial spirit by founding Hagadone Directories, Inc. (HDI) and served as its president, publisher, and co-owner. Jim grew the company from one directory in North Idaho to a company that published 10 print phone books in the states of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and California. HDI served over 1.6 million consumers and approximately 50,000 businesses each year. The business expanded from publishing printed regional telephone directories to online and mobile versions. In February of 2015, Jim retired from leading the company that he founded 28 years before. Although he accumulated many accolades over his work career, Jim valued the many relationships and various people that he met over the years. He was a mentor to younger employees and a valued voice of guidance to many in his life.

Jim served on the board of directors of the Association of Directory Publishers (ADP) for 13 years, including four years as chairman of the board. In 2011, Jim was honored with the ADP’s highest honor — The Wil Lewis Award — in “recognition of and appreciation for a lifetime of outstanding service and exemplary leadership to the directory publishing industry.” At the time, Jim was only the 11th recipient of the award.

Jim was always community-minded. He served on the United Way of Kootenai County board and was twice elected board chair. He was also a past board member of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony. In addition, Jim served on the TESH board of directors for 12 years, including two terms as chair. Most recently, he served as president of the Eleventh Street Dock Owners Association in Coeur d’Alene.

Jim enjoyed cars, boating and international travel. Jim was a passionate fan of automobiles. He loved fast and foreign cars. He traveled to over 50 countries with his wife since 2002. Jim took pride in immersing himself in a country’s culture. He learned both the Greek and Polish languages and loved to converse with anyone he came into contact with overseas. In the summertime, you could always find Jim and Joy out on their boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Jim attended the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, Fla., and took numerous boating and navigation classes.

Jim loved to play tennis, both in city leagues and local tournaments. He spent many years coaching his son’s youth soccer team and cheering on his daughter while she played on her premiere and college soccer teams.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Joy; son, James “Jim” Hail III (fiancé Kasey Fruin) of Post Falls, Idaho; daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” (Brent) Stutzke of Coeur d’Alene; younger brother, Ron Hail of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Service arrangements will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests blood donations at Vitalant (formerly Inland Northwest Blood Center), or donations to the Idaho Youth Ranch or Boys & Girls Club in Post Falls.