James Edwin Grow, 88

On March 11, 2020, Jim left this life quietly and peacefully, just as he had lived.

James Edwin Grow was born May 9, 1931, to John and Thelma (Smith) Grow; the oldest of six children. He grew up in the St. Maries, Idaho, area. He shot his first buck at 11 years old. The antlers are mounted and hanging on his back porch to this day. By age 13 he was driving a logging truck, helping out in the family business. He loved the outdoors and worked in the forest industry, retiring from Idaho Forest Industries in Coeur d’Alene after 35 years of service.

He joined the Army and while stationed in Colorado, met his sweetheart. He and Betty were married only weeks after they met but loved each other for the rest of their lives.

They moved to Dalton Gardens in 1957 with their three daughters. The years were filled with hard work and great fun. Jim designed and built two campers in these years. The family traveled to Canada numerous times and to every park within a couple of days driving distance.

Life was filled with square dancing, camping, swimming, fishing and laughter. He taught his daughters the names of trees, which berries were poisonous, how to build a fire, put a worm on a hook, take a fish off a hook, drive a nail, ride a bike and to embrace the quiet wonder of this life. He was a great dad.

Jim and Betty had a beautiful yard filled with trees and many flowers, and a garden every summer that produced fruit and vegetables for canning and sharing with friends and family. The grandkids always asked grandpa to dig them a carrot and he always did. The oldest grandchild is 48 and he still loves grandpa’s carrots.

Jim loved his family. He loved the life he was given and embraced it with a smile. He will be missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Betty; his parents, John and Thelma; brother, Ben; sisters, Nancy and Phyllis and great-granddaughter, Kelli Marie Vandenberg. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his daughters, Linda (and Ron) Simmons of Spokane, Wash., Vicki (and Earl) Mills of Post Falls and Lori (and Gary) Grossklaus of Morgan Hill, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Grow of Coeur d’Alene and sister, Kathy Heibert of Coeur d’Alene.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of North Idaho that helped us during the last few months of his life, especially Nurse Raechel, CNA Wanda and Social Worker Jake, and the staff at Pacifica Senior Living of Coeur d’Alene, especially Sarah.

A memorial service for Jim will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2020, at Calvary Chapel Lighthouse, 650 Lancaster Road, Hayden, Idaho, with military honors to follow. Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home. Online registry and condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.