Jim Reed, 79

James H. (Jim or Opa) Reed, 79, from Spirit Lake, Idaho, passed peacefully on June 4, 2021, at home with family. Jim was born Dec 16, 1941, to Everett E. and Marion L. (Disbro) Reed in Opportunity, Wash.

Jim grew up in Spokane and Pullman, Wash. On March 3, 1956, he enlisted in the National Guard and served three years before enlisting in the Air Force on April 27, 1959, at the age of 17. During that time, he served during the Vietnam War where he received Meritorious Service Awards. He retired at the age of 37, on May 1, 1979, after serving a total of 23 years and made Spirit Lake his final home.

During his time in the service, he was able to take his family to several countries, showing them various cultures.

Jim loved helping others and made very dear friends who were with him to the end. Even though he grumbled about being pulled into another project by his wife and daughter, he was always more than willing to help. If you wanted him to make something simple, you learned to expect something more elaborate and well crafted.

He beamed at the opportunity to teach someone how to do something and has been the example for our family of consistently learning, holding high standards in whatever you put your hands to work on, and finding opportunities to share what you know. As an honorary Trustee of Spirit Lake First Lutheran Church, he was instrumental in the raising of their new building.

Jim married Verla M. Tipke on Sept. 29, 1962, in Moses Lake, Wash.

Jim leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Verla of Spirit Lake; Mother Lorraine Tipke in Coeur d'Alene; his siblings: Pat Reed in Tacoma, Wash., Mary Reed in Prineville, Ore., Judy Kipling in Everett, Wash., Dave Reed in the Philippines; Roisin Reed in Salem, Ore., Fran Davis in Hayden, Idaho, Larry Tipke in Athol, Idaho, Claudia Moser of Post Falls, Idaho, Donna and Russ Dansereau in Toppenish, Wash., Jerry and Tina Tipke in Hayden, Idaho; his children: Dennis and Karli Reed in Veradale, Wash., Rick and Chelle Yeend in Hayden Lake, Idaho; grandchildren: Aaron and Mattie Reed in Post Falls, Idaho, Chris and Chalyn Reed in Spokane, Wash., Sarah Reed in Veradale, Wash., David and Karen Newman in Hayden, Idaho, Logan and Alanna Anderson of Greenacres, Wash., Anika Yeend in Hayden Lake, Idaho; great-grandchildren Kristen and Edward Rivera in Bradenton, Fla., Brandon Culpepper in Post Falls, Idaho; Blake Culpepper, Jason Culpepper, and Stella Newman in Hayden, Idaho; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Everett and Marion Reed of Spokane, Wash., Walter Tipke of Hayden, Idaho; siblings Anita and John Schneider of New Mexico, Charles (Chuck) Reed of Salem, Ore.

Service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2021, at First Lutheran Church, 32529 N. Sixth St., PO Box 100, Spirit Lake, Idaho.

In Memory of Jim (Opa) please consider donations to Spirit Lake First Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Idaho. Please share your thoughts and memories of Jim in his online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.