James B. Mercill, 70

James B. Mercill, 70, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2004, in Sandpoint.

His family will be celebrating his life with private family services at the home he loved at a future date.

Jim was born Sept. 25, 1933, in Jackson, Wyo., the son of Charles and Ella (Maitlind) Mercill. He married Carol Loftin on Dec. 13, 1975, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jim and Carol made their home in Cabinet near Clark Fork in 1988, where they enjoyed the peace and beauty along the Clark Fork River.

Jim will be most remembered for his love of the outdoors and the life and times he had in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He compiled a book dedicated to his life as a guide and outfitter. In Jim's own words …

"A Little Guide Talk

This book is dedicated to a lot of great people and also to anyone inspired enough by its contents to follow in my footsteps and completely waste 30 years of a great lifetime fishing, hunting and drinking. But if this is the kind of life you would like to have, I would recommend very highly doing it this way. Jim Mercill."

For those of us who knew his, this preface from his collection describes his life to a "T". Jim also enjoyed drawing and painting.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carol Mercill; three children, Mark, Mitch and Susan; four beautiful grandchildren, who will always remember him by the adventures of his life and the stories that he told.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service, Inc. of Sandpoint.