James Franklin Lake, 91

On Friday, July 14, 2017, James Franklin Lake, beloved father, brother, uncle and grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep. Jim was 91 years old.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Kathryn May Miller in February 2013; and his parents, James “Jake” A. Lake and Nancy A. Graybill Lake. Jim is now survived by six of his seven children, Nancy (Ed) Owen, Margaret Jane Lake (deceased), James (Lori) Lake, George (Colleen) Lake, Marilyn (Ron) Aiken, Neal (Teresa) Lake and Cecilia (Matt) Steed. He has three surviving brothers Marvin (Janet) Lake, Harvey (Gladys) Lake and Robin (Susan) Lake; and one sister, Elaine Stout. He was preceded by one brother, Lyle Lake; and three sisters, Phyllis Eleanor Lake, Francis Lake Johnson and Marcia Lake Walker; also a nephew special to him, Daniel Miller. He will be remembered fondly by his 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim lived a full and interesting life “his way.” He was born on Nov. 28, 1925, in Spokane, Wash., and lived in Colbert, Wash., Alder Creek, St. Maries, Cataldo, Coeur d’Alene and Priest River, Idaho. He moved back to Colbert in 2011 and to Spokane in 2012.

Jim attended the Valley Prairie School on the west side of Mt. Spokane starting in 1932. The family moved to Alder Creek in 1936. He married in February 1950. Jim worked in the logging industry from the age of 12 in 1937 until his retirement from the state of Idaho in 1989. In addition, he worked for St. Maries Lumber, Steamboat, Sverdsten’s Logging, Bunker Hill, Healey and Hill Logging, and Diamond International. Jim loved Idaho history and collecting historical photos and logging memorabilia, loved to read and was a self-proclaimed “gourmet” cook. He loved fixing Sunday morning pancakes for the grandchildren, growing vegetables and hunting. Jim killed a moose on his last hunt at the age of 85. He was the “Bull of the Woods” for Timberfest 2004 in Sandpoint, Idaho, and for Timber Days 2008 in Priest River. These awards were given in recognition for his lifetime of dedication to logging.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. to noon. The graveside blessing will be directly after the service at St. Thomas Cemetery, E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Memorial donations in Jim’s memory may be made to: Hospice House of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur St., Spokane, WA 99202.

Please sign and view James’ online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.