Jim Snider

After a 13-year valiant battle with prostate cancer James, Jim to friends, Jimmy to close family, finally won the war.

Jim Snider of Bonners Ferry passed peacefully Thursday Oct. 22, 2009, into his eternal home to be with his Heavenly Father who loved and loves him with an everlasting love.

Born in Miles City, Mont., Jim lived the first year of life at the family ranch owned by his grandfather. Jim moved to his dad’s ranch in the heart of the Bull Mountains, where he spent his teen years.

Jim graduated in 1967 from Huntley Project High School in Worden, Mont., where he participated as discus thrower in track and field and was very active in FFA.

After a short time at Montana State University, Bozeman, Jim joined the U.S. Army with a close buddy. They were assigned to Korean DMZ, where Jim was exposed to the chemical that eventually claimed his life.

During assignment to Ft. Campbell, Ky., he met his wife of 38 years — sweet, petite Dianne Sego.

They lived in Ohio and Tennessee, attending college, while Jim also worked various manufacturing jobs, including as a welder, building barges on Tennessee’s Columbia River.

Jim completed his bachelor’s of religious education in 1976. He spent his life committed to becoming a Godly man, growing in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Jim loved Montana and was quite proud of his fourth generation Montana pioneer heritage. His great-grandfather homesteaded Rosebud Creek in 1882.

Enjoying the hard physical work and play of all things outdoors, Jim chose to relocate his family to Coalstrip, Mont., to work on the ranch and in the coal strip mines. During this time his beloved daughter, Amy, was born and then died unexpectedly in 1988 at age 12.

True to his warm, generous and compassionate nature, Jim opened his heart and home to his Korean born son, Jonathan, in 1991. It was Jim’s conviction that his children be home-schooled and he was very involved to that end, lovingly leading his family, a faithfully devoted husband, son and father.

Jim spent 16 years at Western Energy Co., leaving in 1994 to launch his own carpet sculpture business.

Jim was a creative and talented artist who never realized or believed his ability, becoming disabled two years later by prostate cancer undetected until metastasized.

Moving to Bonners Ferry in 2001, Jim, Dianne and Jonathan built strong bonds of friendship with many in this community as he shared his wit, sensitivity, passion for injustice, strength, curiosity, knowledge of history and agriculture and his devotion to His Lord and his family.

In his last months, Jim spent many hours dedicated to prayer and writing notes of encouragement to others.

This strong, yet gentle man is survived by his loving wife and their son, Jonathan; father W. George Snider of Billings, Mont; brother Ed Smoker; sisters Patricia Claridge in Indiana, Shirley (Bill) Mason in Michigan; and Janet (George) Harper in Billings; special brother-in-law Lewis (Kathleen)Sego; and several uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, mother Martha Herrman; and brothers Robert and John David Snider.

Memorial services were held Oct. at Community Fellowship Church, Bonners Ferry. A service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Stevensons’s Chapel, Forsyth, Mont., followed by graveside services with military honors at Lee Cemetery in Forsyth. A reception will also be held.

Notes of remembrance may be sent to P.O. box 935, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 or e-mailed to photostories@diannesnider.com.

Memorials may be given to CFC Building Fund or Nathhan/Chask.

A huge thanks to Hospice for amazing support in keeping Jim at home with his family until the end.  Praise to God for peace, joy and no more pain.