Jimmie Lee Northrup, 84

Jimmie Lee Northrup, 84 years, of Rathdrum, Idaho, passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, at Kootenai Health Hospital in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. Jimmie was born in Wauseon, Ohio, on June 22, 1937, the son of the late Vaughn and Ruby (Allman) Northrup and younger brother to the late Jack Northrup. He graduated from Washington High in 1955 and from Indiana State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology in 1960. He participated in high school plays, including one role in heels.

He served in the Fort Ord California US Army Corps from Sept. 2, 1960, to Aug. 31, 1962, as a Petrol Lab Specialist. Jimmie worked in Lancaster, California State Water Works on the California aqueduct with Mary Northrup. They were married, and it was then that we had a loving father that made us a part of his life including all the wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins that came with that union. We are blessed.

Jimmie also worked on Pyramid Lakes Dam in California and worked for Forest Service for most of his career, which included geological work throughout the forests and cleaning up mine tunnels and tailings late in his career. He worked in Eureka and Petaluma, Calif., transferring to St. Maries, Idaho, in 1972 and retiring from the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, office in January of 2003 as a GS 14 Civil Engineer. He was awarded the 1984 Forester’s Honor Award and Certificate of Merit for development and testing of road surface modifications that saved the Forest Service one million dollars. This design was adopted for national use.

Jimmie made good friends who loved fun. In his California pre-Forest Service work, Jimmie and his colleagues were not fond of the Federal forestry department. They hung the Smokey Bear plush toy on the wall and stuck it with large pins. The doll was sent to Jimmie when he began working for the Forest Service and followed him in California and to Idaho. Jimmie was an avid rock and bottle collector throughout his life and enjoyed sharing these with his family and friends. He also studied the Civil War and early Western characters. As the family storyteller with the inherited title of genealogist and memory-keeper, Jimmie explored his Northrup, Allman, Frank and Bible family trees in great depth. Jimmie loved dogs, cats and the forest. Many folks have commented on his quiet nature and willingness to listen or share a story. He had a deep, rumbling voice and loved a good joke.

Jimmie is survived by four children: Kathlynn (Tony) Northrup-Snyder of Ilwaco, Wash., Cynthia Northrup of Ridgefield, Wash., Mark Northrup of Dallas, Ore., and Jerrie (Finessa) Northrup of Spirit Lake, Idaho. He was also blessed with grandchildren: Allycia Adams, Larra Snyder, Dustin Moses, Thomas Northrup, Chelsea Northrup and great-grandchildren, Keira, Kaleb and Sophia Adams.

A memorial will be held for family in the summer near Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Condolences may be sent to the family or memories may be shared on Jimmie’s Tribute Wall at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. A memorial slide show can be viewed here as well.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those remembering Jimmie to please consider donating to the following organizations as these had more meaning to Jimmie:

Forest link: https://thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees/

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: www.aspca.org

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements.