Jay Faraca, 67

Jay Anthony Faraca, 67, of Newman Lake, Wash., passed away Feb. 19, 2025 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was born Feb. 26, 1957, in Kellogg, Idaho; the son of Ray and Mary Rae Faraca and the eldest of their six sons.

Jay attended Kellogg schools growing up and was an altar boy at St. Rita’s Catholic Church. He was a standout student and athlete and started at center and defensive end on the fabled Fred Morris Wildcat football teams of the early '70s. Following high school, Jay received congressional nominations to both the United States Naval and Military academies but ultimately chose to follow a family tradition and enrolled at the University of Idaho. After a multi-year detour and pursuit of riches at the Bunker Hill where he worked as a hoistman at the Bunker and Crescent mines, Jay graduated from the U of I in 1991 with a degree in Mining Engineering. 

Jay met his future wife, Barbara Swindell, while working as an engineer in Carlsbad, N.M. His family later moved to Spokane in 2001, where Jay worked as a systems engineer administrator for a large call center. 

The family was active parishioners at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Otis Orchards. Jay volunteered on the parish council and was very involved with numerous church committees throughout the years. He was also a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Jay was a shopping and cooking taskmaster, and his brother Knights orchestrated a well-choreographed parish kitchen. 

After retirement, Jay worked as an East Valley School District bus driver in Spokane County. He was easily identifiable by his black Stetson cowboy hat that he wore and was beloved by the students he shuttled back and forth. 

Jay and his family loved riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, camping up the Coeur d’Alene River, kayaking and playing with the various golden retrievers they had over the years. He was an ardent Vandal and Seahawk fan throughout his life. Jay was a devoted Catholic, husband, father and big brother. He was immensely proud of his daughter and loved her husband as a son. 

Jay’s death resulted from an extended illness that he battled courageously for several years. He will be remembered for his strong, confident personality, endearing joyful nature, love of cooking and trust in God. 

Jay is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Barbara (Swindell) Faraca; his daughter Rose (Noah) Morales and granddaughters, Annaliyah and Amara, of Spokane, Wash.; his brothers Tobin (Cindy) of Kingston, Idaho; Pat (Suzanne) of Post Falls, Idaho; Brett of Kellogg, Idaho; Tony (Brandie) of Boise, Idaho; and Guy (Lynn) of Lafayette, Colo.; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Rae (Thompson) Faraca.   

There will be a memorial mass held at 10 a.m. March 22, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Otis Orchards, Wash.