James "Jim" L. Hopkins

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James (Jim)L. Hopkins on March 4, 2025 at the age of 80. James was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to Thomas J. and Ruth P. Hopkins. He was the middle child of five children. He grew up and was educated in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

During his High School years, he was employed at the Jack Moore IGA grocery store in Bonners Ferry and later at Herms Richfield. He worked there throughout high school until he entered basic training with the Idaho Army National Guard. He joined the Svc Btry. 148th Fld. Artillery in Bonners Ferry, as a supply clerk when he started out, then he went on to his basic training and his advanced individual training when he left High School. He made the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6 and received an honorable discharge in 1968 after completing his enlistment. In 1981 he re-enlisted in the Bonners Ferry Guard unit and was in several positions both there and in Post Falls. He was promoted to SFC. E-7 Platoon Sergeant, and then to lSG E-7 First Sergeant of Company D 116th Engineering Battalion. For the last three years of his service, he was assigned to battalion headquarters in Lewiston, Idaho where he was the S-2 Intel Sergeant for the 116th Engineering Battalion. He retired in September of 1995 as a Master Sergeant (E-8.) He was still friends with many of his fellow guardsmen and they regularly met for breakfast on Saturday mornings.

He was a member at the Catholic church in each town he lived in. His faith was strong, and the Eucharist was very important to him. He was a member of the church choir for several years in Coeur d’Alene and in Libby, MT, which he enjoyed. He was an active member of the Catholic men's group, the Knights of Columbus, where he went through many of the chairs of the order, including Sir Knight of the 4th Degree. He held the works of the Knights of Columbus very close to his heart.

He was a volunteer fireman for the fire departments in Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Libby, Montana, where he was a Fire Cause Investigator, and for a short while in Kootenai, Idaho. Many of his fellow fire fighters had turned into life-long friends and he always looked forward to opportunities to see them.

Jim married Caren Hiatt in 1965 and they had three children: daughter Patti Hindberg (Rob) of Meridian, ID, son David (Ralene) of Spokane Valley, WA., and daughter Annette Wiese (Don "DJ") of Meridian, ID. Jim and Caren divorced in 1978 and shortly after he met and married Shirley Skeels. She had four children whom he still considers his own: Greg, Shannon (Angie), Kelly, and Jene. Shirley became ill and passed away in 1990. He later married Elizabeth (Betty) Willett who had two boys, Zachary and John. Jim and Betty separated and later divorced after he moved back to Libby, MT where he met his current wife, Rosalie (Rosie) Dutton. They were married in 2018. He was a proud grandfather to 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild!

Jim was employed by GTE in Libby, Montana in 1966. Throughout his career with GTE, he worked as a Telephone Installer-Repairman, Lineman, Test Board/Screener Analyzer, and held several positions on the Safety Committee. He worked in several offices in both Montana and Idaho until his retirement in 1996 from the Coeur d’Alene office. He then worked for US West in Spokane, Washington for almost one year until he and Betty moved to Louisville, Kentucky. They stayed for five years, then moved to Boise in 2002. He worked at various jobs that he enjoyed both in Louisville and in Boise until he finally retired for good in 2011.

He is survived by all the children (mentioned above). His brothers John T. (Brenda), George F., and sisters Patty A. Purinton, and Pauline R. Rainey, dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and so many friends that he truly considered family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his second wife Shirley, two granddaughters (Tara Skeels and Kaylynn Butler) and his brother-in-law Don Rainey.

Jim was loved by so many and will be missed beyond measure! The family invites you to celebrate Jim’s life at the following events: A Rosary and viewing at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at 7:00 pm on Friday March 21st. A funeral service will be held at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene at 10:00 am on Saturday March 22nd followed by a reception with refreshments. A separate service will be held in Libby, Montana on Saturday May 10. There will be a general mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 5:00 pm followed by fellowship dinner in the Parrish Hall.