Jim A. Ragains, of Kamiah, died at his daughter’s home in Upton, Wyo., Friday, July 5, 2019. He was 90. Born June 20, 1929, in Melba, Idaho, to Franklin and Mary Ragains, Jim was one of nine children. He attended school in Melba and then he enlisted in the U.S. Army. A decorated combat war veteran, he received a marksman excellence award, an Army-Navy Production Award for World War II and a medal of accommodation for the Korean War, where he was in the 1st Armored Division. Jim returned from overseas to California. He married Jackie Ebe on Sept. 19, 1953, in Los Angeles. They had three children, Rick, Terry and Vickie. They lived in California, running a Texaco station and racing stock cars before moving back to Idaho, to Kamiah, in 1970. Jim delivered fuel for Chevron for several years before he and Jackie bought a cafe. They were the proud owners of JJ’s Cafe. Customers were friends and so were the many waitresses and cooks who worked alongside Jim and Jackie over the years. A gift given to them from staff upon retirement claimed they were the “World’s Greatest Bosses.” He greeted everyone warmly and made friends easily. Jim enjoyed visiting with people, had a great sense of humor and a million sayings, many one-line zingers that were heard over and over though the years. What he loved most was being a grandparent — to his own grandchildren and their friends. Fondly referred to as G-pa, he was proud of all his grandchildren and then his great-grandchildren. The walls of his home were covered in photos of his family in frames he made. Jim also loved to hunt, and the annual hunting trips included gathering his friends, his son and his friends, and then later his grandkids and their friends for the adventure. Jim is survived by his brother, Marion (Caroline) Ragains, of California; his son, Terry Ragains, of Lewiston; his daughter, Vickie (Guy) Jackson, of Wyoming; and grandchildren Mitch Ragains (and family, of Washington), Tara Tibetts (and family, of Spokane Valley, Wash.), Samantha Skinner (and family, of Lewiston), Rickie Ragains (and family, of Spokane), Chase Jackson (and family, of Wyoming), Breeana Reiner (and family, of Lewiston), Tyler Jackson (and family, of Federal Way, Wash.) and Shasta Porter (and family, of Montana); and 21 great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, son Richard “Rick” Ragains, grandson Bucky Leach, daughter-in-law Tammy Ragains, his parents and seven of his siblings, Frankie, Zelpha, Floyd, Irene, Otto, Darrel and Virginia.
Obituaries
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Gerald “Dee” Foster
On Friday, July 12, 2019, Gerald “Dee” Foster passed away at the age of 77 in Grangeville, Idaho. Dee was born on September 28, 1941 in McGill, Nevada to Henry and Kathrine Foster. Dee was a rolling stone that didn’t collect much moss. He enjoyed seeing new places and learning new skills. After 25 years of exploring the world through a tour in the navy, gold mining on the South Fork of the Clearwater River, and developing the skills of an electrician, he settled in on long haul trucking which satisfied his wandering urge. Dee retired from trucking in 2004 and resided in Weiser, Id until his health began to fail in 2019, and then moved to the Grangeville Rehabilitation Center in order to be closer to family. Dee is most fondly remembered by family and friends for his gift with a twelve string guitar. He enjoyed playing country music and singing around the campfire or just pickin and grinnin with friends. Dee is proceeded in death by his parents, Henry and Kathrine and brothers Henry Jr. and Dennis. He is survived by his children Jerry, Hank, Stephanie, Jewelene, Amy and Dawniel and brother Cary along with numerous nieces and nephews and grandchildren. A private memorial will be arranged at a later date for family and close friends. Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia is assisting the family.
Michael J. Havird
Michael J. Havird passed away suddenly Sunday, July 7, 2019, in Idaho while camping, at the age of 56. Mike was born in Grangeville and went on to graduate from Sheridan High School in Wyoming. He attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and graduated with a mechanical engineering degree. Mike spent his career working in the aerospace industry, primarily working for Boeing. Mike was an avid baseball fan who never missed watching a game that his son, John, pitched. He also enjoyed spending time with his horse, being outdoors, eating spicy food (his pozole was his specialty) and spending time at home with his family in Arizona. He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy; and his stepfather, Jesse Weddle. He is survived by his mother, Patsey Carpenter; his wife, Laurie; his three children, Aaron, Alex and John; his brother, Sam Havird; his uncles, Jim Shriver and Lyndel Woods; his aunts, Melva Woods Turner and Molly Sheets; and his stepsister, Daughn Carpenter. A service will be at 1 p.m. July 20 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, U.S. Highway 12, Kamiah.
William”Bill” Shearer
| William “Bill” Shearer 82, of Post Falls passed away July 4, 2019 in Coeur d’ Alene. Funeral Services will be held Monday July 8, 2019. Viewing will be 9:00am to 9:30am at Trenary Funeral Home in Kooskia. The Graveside Service will be 10:00am at Harpster Cemetery. |
John Kent Wood
John Kent Wood, Jr. 66 years old The armed services of this great country lost a warrior patriot when Master John Kent Wood, Jr. (Jauhny) raced up the stairway to heaven on June 3, 2019. He was met at the top by his parents, John (Jack) Decker Wood and Evelyn Frances (Green) Wood, Grandma Sally, niece Debbie Jo, nephew Steven, mother-in-law Theresa, sister-in-law JoAnn and his Uncle Mighty Max. He was born December 6, 1952 to Jack and Evelyn in Glasgow, MT. Jauhny used to joke that nobody could forget his birthday because of Dec. 7th- Day of Infamy. Jauhny won the Voice of Democracy Debate when he was 13 years old. Throughout his life he lively debated his opinion on the political state of affairs. In his teen years he was a member of the DeMolay, Boy Scouts-made it to Eagle Scout, played football and earned straight A’s until his senior year. His family moved out of state leaving him to finish his senior year alone. As Jauhny put it” why get hurt playing football when I could play in the pep band, get the girls and party?” He quit all organizations to work at the Husky Station after school. “I did not have much money and learned how to make tomato soup from ketchup and hot water! My favorite job was being the night DJ at the radio station. Of course, I did not get paid much of anything working those two jobs!” Jauhny graduated from Glasgow High School in 1971 unsure of what he was going to do. On a whim he took the test at the recruiter’s office. His scores placed him in the top 1% of the nation. Jauhny laughs, “My recruiter received a bonus when I joined the Nuclear Navy in 1972. All I cared about was being the best of the best and having three solids a day!” He continued to give his best for 26 years and more. John was training in CA/ID when he met Roxanna Grear. They married and had a son- Jeremy Michael Wood, May 27, 1975. “I actually got pay docked from my check because I wanted to be there when my child was born”. He later found out that he had been exposed to radiation and had a cancerous thyroid. He opted for Nuclear surgery and pzzt no thyroid. John and Roxy divorced in 1978 due to the stresses of military life and John’s medical issues. She and Jeremy moved back to the states. John stayed in the navy and served aboard many ships while seeing the world. When he was discharged he became an active reservist. The WOOPS project in WA fell through and so did Jauhny’s dreams of working in the civilian nuclear world. He was a salesman, shop foreman, mechanic, spa builder and all-around gopher until he got hired as an electronics calibration mechanic for the Trident Refit Facility at Submarine Bangor. He attended a Jefferson Starship concert in Lacey, WA before he moved north. There his attention kept being diverted by a girl who kept staring at him. Two years later he would take that girl on a blind date (unbeknownst to both) and on July 4, 1990 he married that same girl, Lisa Marie Covert-Derr at McComas Meadows. The mental/emotional stress of a miscarriage early in 1991, his mother’s death in May 1991, father’s death in 1992 and the unrelenting symptoms of untreated PTSD from his military service caused him to retire early. In Feb. 1998 he left TRF for the quiet prairie of Idaho where he tried his hand at being a gentleman farmer. After getting knocked on his ass by a runaway steer and collapsing from fatigue after one day of throwing 175 bales, he decided to leave ranch work to others. He attended the police academy and became a correction officer at Orofino. Though he enjoyed being back in uniform and being a member of an elite force, he resigned in three months because of the fallout from his PTSD. He took a part time delivery route in Lewiston/Clarkston and turned it into a full-time business – Valley Messenger Services that he owned and operated for 17 years. “Ha, my clients were lawyers.” In September 2005 they moved to Clearwater and found home and community. Here Jauhny served on the Water Board and was a volunteer firefighter while driving to and from the valley each day. The Wood’s home became sanctuary for teens and animals. Jauhny was a mentor, role model and father figure for many girls and boys. “If the kids don’t like what I have to say they can always leave, but they better not expect me to give handouts.” Jauhny taught many young people how to put in a good day’s work and be proud. In 2016 Jauhny was forced to retire and became sidelined by untreated Legionnaires Disease that put more stress on his lungs and heart. Ironically, this disease is what made Jauhny get help for his PTSD. For the next three years he assisted other veterans in gaining benefits and fighting for services while battling his own PTSD disease until his death. When asked about his greatest accomplishments Jauhny listed them in order: “birth of my son, being the best in the military in my field-I could fix anything, marrying Lisa, taking parents on a dry dock sub tour, achieving a million points in one turn on Galaga video game (sorry Nan), watching Mariah be born, Northern Lights at the North Pole, swimming with dolphins, forgiving my family, my son and myself. Though my career was important, I learned almost too late that without family and good friends life is empty. Life is too short. Live, love, laugh and forgive every day and moment. You get one go around. Make those memories count! I wish I would have met Jackson Michael & Addison Rose.” Jauhny is survived by his wife Lisa Wood of 29 years- Clearwater, his son Jeremy Wood (Monica)- Edgefield, TX, his sister Jeannie Wood (Cindy) Maple Valley, WA; brothers LeRoy Wood (Di)- Palmer, Alaska and Richard Miller (JoAnn)- Glasgow, MT, JCF- WA, niece Eva Sue Wood-Boise sister in laws: Angie Bedell (Pete)-Olympia, WA, Viola Derr (Randy)- Grangeville. Jody Wimer (Forrest)-Nezperce and Tammy B (James)- Grangeville. Wood Sanctuary kids: Kevin, Charley, Tiffany, Katrina, Tasha, Kat, Spencer, Elizabeth, Alexis, Zack, Jordan, Ben, Jshrael, Miranda, Allee, Barry, Zac, Nick, Steven, Carlos, Huntik, Fayre and Asher (Sarah) Cooper-Sacremento, CA. Please DO NOT SEND FLOWERS instead help a military family you know, be a mentor to teens/kids/young adults, give to the local food banks, write to veterans overseas, contact the Veterans’ Center near you and ask how you can be of service, get involved and make a difference in a life. This will honor Jauhny. Not self, but country! The Memorial Service will be held 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Harpster RV Park Gazebo. Condolences may be sent to the family at trenaryfuneralhome.com
Leola Swearingen
Leola Swearingen, 86, of Kamiah passed away, Sunday, June 23, 2019 at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center Minnie Leola Swearingen was born May 9, 1933, to Charles and Clara Hill James in Little Rock, Washington. At the age of 16 her father took a logging job in the Clearwater Valley. The family moved to a cabin on 6 Mile creek just outside Kamiah. Leola meet John Elvin Swearingen and a year later they were married. Leola was a dedicated wife and mother. While John worked she took care of the family and home. They moved several times over the years but always remained in the Clearwater Valley. Leola enjoyed fishing and being in the outdoors. She was a great cook and was known for her homemade bread. But most of all, she loved her family, children and especially her grand-children. One of her favorite things was to give the grandkids their first bath in her tub. She is loved and will be missed by all her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband John Elvin Swearingen, a son Larry Swearingen, her sister Winnie Swearingen and her parents. She is survived by her sister Ona Burnside, two sons John (Karen) Swearingen and David (Joann) Swearingen, two daughters Judy (Mike) Swearingen and Shirley (Chris) Rieger, and many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Viewing will be 1:00pm – 2:00pm Saturday June 29th 2019 at Trenary Funeral Home in Kooskia. The Graveside Funeral Service will be 3:00pm Saturday June 29, 2019 at Pinegrove Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.trenaryfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been made through Trenary Funeral Home of Kooskia