Ronald Lee James, 84

Ronald Lee James of Hayden, Idaho, passed away Jan. 22, 2024. Ron was born April 30, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Dora and Dale James (deceased). 

He grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. Ron earned a full-ride football scholarship and graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the University of New Mexico. There, he met his wife of almost 63 years, Kathryn Janine Barbour (Jan). Ron’s job with the Bureau of Reclamation moved the young couple to several locations throughout the Southwestern United States before they finally settled in Montrose, Colo. Ron was an active leader with Boy Scouts and led scouts on several 50-mile backpack trips across the Colorado Continental Divide. Ron was an enthusiastic partner with his wife, Jan, in raising their three daughters, Maribeth Schultz (Randy), Kayle Buscher (Jeff) and Mikel Ann James. 

After retiring from a successful career with the Department of Energy Ron and Jan relocated to the Coeur d’Alene area. Ron was a man of the outdoors. He fished, hiked and bow-hunted in all weather conditions. He especially liked to take others out on his boat to view the eagles and was well-known and respected in the local fishing community. Ron also volunteered in his church, was an avid reader and assisted in raising two of his grandsons. 

In addition to his loving wife, daughters and sons-in-law, Ron is survived by his brother, T. D. James, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.