Jim Bews, 96

Jim Bews, 96, of Priest River, Idaho, passed away on March 12, 2008, at The Newport Community Hospital in Newport, Wash.

Jim was born the eldest of three boys on Oct. 4, 1911, to Andrew Bews Sr. and Jeanie (Work) Bews in Mandan, N.D. 

In the early months of 1914, his family moved to Spokane, Wash., where they resided until October 1916 when they moved to a farm near Valley (now Vay), Idaho. 

Jim attended school at Seneacquoteen School until the eighth grade. At the age of 13, Jim started working on the family farm to help support the family.  Jim started working in the woods in 1936 as a sawyer, later working for Diamond International and E. C. Olson as a log truck driver.

Jim spent many years farming, cutting cordwood and in his later working years became a skilled cedar pole maker.

Jim married Mary Larsen on April 1, 1938, and had three children, George, Art and Clara. Jim and Mary later divorced in 1956. Jim then married Nora Chapin on April 17, 1959.  Nora had five children, Earl, Mason, Dorothy, Frank and Carl.

In 1997 Jim was honored by being chosen “Bull of the Woods” for Priest River Timber Days.

Jim's favorite pasttimes were baseball and boxing in his younger years. He later enjoyed dancing and socializing at A J's Café and the Village Kitchen in Priest River, Idaho. Jim was still dancing on Saturday nights at the Eagles Lodge in Newport up until May 2007.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a stepdaughter, Dorothy (Chapin) Monk; his beloved wife, Nora; a grandson, Jay Himes; a niece, Joan Bews; and a nephew, Andy Bews.

Jim is survived by his children, George (Lovella) Bews, Art (Robyn) Bews, and Clara (Lloyd) Hickey, stepchildren Earl (Bev) Chapin, Mason (Lois) Chapin, Frank (Sydney) Chapin, Carl (Linda) Chapin; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at the Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River. Burial will be at the Seneacquoteen Cemetery immediately following the services.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, Idaho is in charge of arrangements.

Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guestbook at www.sherman-knapp.com.