James 'Jim' Phillip Brady, 70
Dec. 10, 1953 — June 27, 2024
In the words of his son, Jim Brady “didn’t sit well.” This translated into always doing something, whether in his work as a geologist, ability as a woodworker, love of the outdoors, and any "fixing or doing." Whether consulting on the restoration of Prince William Sound after Exxon Valdez while in Alaska or in his 28 years with the state of Idaho, Jim looked out for the “little guy.” Jim Brady was defined by unwavering integrity and loved as someone who was always ready to help others.
His favorite season was winter, which for years included skiing (area manager at Hyak), ski-mobile adventures with his son, Sean (some crazy adventures getting them in a yellow Suburban), and for many years with his buddies at their annual “snow camp.” Jim Brady was the dad who started his son golfing at five, traveled with his hockey team and was so caught up helping Boy Scouts that he did a seven-day hiking trip to Seven Devils Mountains that Sean wasn’t even on!
Jim was a lifelong friend, whether from childhood, college days, or his storied career. Jim and Lori (Franklin) Brady would have celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary Aug. 10, 2024. Their marriage brought him joy and gifted him with a lot more family to love him: A father and mother-in-law (Bob and Joy Franklin), siblings, cousins, adult children, grandchildren and the role of great-grandfather to five children who called him “Papa Jim!" (Is 41 too many to list, and that’s before nieces and nephews). Joy has often said she only needs to ask “Jim” for assistance and either Jim Brady, Jim Vancho, or Jim Franklin will come running! Their families merged to the degree that Lori’s son-in-law Fred (Lisa) officiated when Sean and Sara Brady married in Puerto Vallarta.
As a grandson himself, he lived and traveled with his pioneer grandparents, inheriting and maintaining the family homestead and mining rights in Metaline Falls, Pend Oreille County. Yes, he did let Kevin Costner shoot a film there, acquiring Costner’s recliner and lumber from a faux church built for the set.
At the time of retirement, Jim’s professional title was Sr. Navigable Waters Specialist and, concurrently, Mineral Resource Technician. He’d worked as an Advanced Development Geologist for Unocal in Anchorage for a decade earlier in his career. He held a Bachelor's Degree in Geology & Geography from CWU, graduating in 1977.
After “retirement,” there was more travel, including recent winters in their fifth wheel having too much fun with Lori’s cousins, Ellen and Bob. Or else he was helping someone build a deck, making stained glass art, golfing (he claimed Lori learning to play was in the phantom prenup). In his varied life (Lakewood, Newfoundland, Alaska, and then home-based in Idaho for decades) he built the first Kevlar sled for an Iditarod racer, custom built a shelf that comprised an entire wall in his Hayden home, and always found a use for wood. No matter the project, he never cut corners.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, his older sister, Judy Brady, and his father-in-law, Bob Franklin.
He was smart, handsome, tall, funny, a dog person, “a good dude” in his son’s words, just “the kindest man” in his wife Lori’s. He was brave in the vicious path of ALS, which was diagnosed just before his 70th birthday and did not allow him to live out the year. His life will be celebrated in late August at his home in Hayden, where his legacy lives on. All the stories about Jim Brady are good ones, and even in his absence, everyone will grin through tears as they are shared.
In lieu of flowers and cards, please consider donating to Matt’s Place Foundation, P.O. Box 3673, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816, or to the ALS Association at ALS.org.
Brady