James Critchett

James Rodney Critchett was born on Jan. 11, 1920, in Melrose, Mass., and passed peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 16, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Jim was a hero to his family, friends and country. He retired as an Air Force Major, beginning by joining the U.S. Army in 1941. He was shipped to Hawaii, assigned to D Battery, 2nd Division of the 55 Coast Guard Artillery. He was on guard duty at the ammunitions bunker on Dec. 7, 1941, and survived the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. He went on to graduate from flight training school (B24’s), RADAR training (very new and in but a few B17’s.) In May 1944, he was sent to England to the 8th Air Force Pathfinders Outfit where he trained and furnished lead crews for the raids on Germany. He instructed crews who fought in the Pacific, went back to England as part of a new Bomber Group, supporting the Berlin Airlift. He then took B47 jet training and flew the first jet bombers under threat of the Russians during the Cold War. From there he received B52 training and was sent to Puerto Rico where he was diagnosed with heart problems and finally retired in March 1961.

Jim loved people, animals and fishing! He worked successfully at every sales job he decided to try his hand at — real estate, advertising, car sales, supply company. Jim did not let any job define him; he simply loved the art of learning. In his 70s, Jim decided to work in a silver mine because he was curious. After, he drove truck and delivered mining supplies all over North Idaho, Washington and Canada.

Jim was an avid gardener, carpenter and fisherman. Though his work did not define him, his legendary fishing certainly did! He said it was his job as a grandfather to teach his grandsons how to fish so they, along with his son, began a lifetime of adventures that relived themselves in the story-telling even to his last day. Up at the crack of dawn and “off we go cuz the fish are waiting!” Stealing everyone’s snacks including Jimmy’s HoHos and causing years of controversy and laughter. Stopping to eat breakfast then taking bets on the first, biggest and most fish caught (Bingo, Bango, Bongo he called it.) From the post office, lumberyard, barber shop there was always a conversation about fishing which became a tangible metaphor for how to live life successfully.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Louise Glines Critchett (1889-1951) and Albert Henry Critchett (1888-1976); his brother, Albert Henry Jr. (1916-1998); his sister, Ruth Virginia (1918-2003); his beloved wife, Carol Gibson Critchett (March 1, 1930-March 19, 2008); his daughter, Cynthia Critchett (March 4, 1949-Nov. 3, 2006) and daughter Timi Kay Harper (Jan. 24, 1955-Dec. 17, 2013). Jim is survived by his sweet love and partner of the last two years, Celia Ellis. Also surviving are his children, Cindy Dowdell, Jan Miller, Kevin Richardson, Heather Bowen, Colleen Lien and Laura Everson; plus a multitude of grand and great-grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by all.

There are no services planned for this time.