James Givens

My Life Story Jim, or “Jimmy” as he was known to friends and family alike, passed away peacefully at approximately 4:20 pm on Monday, June 12, 2017. Jim was the eldest child of James William and Elaine Newport Givens. He was born in Denver, CO, but lived for most of his formative and young adult life in Lewiston. Some of his fondest childhood memories (and long-winded stories) stemmed from spending time with his paternal grandparents “the Judge” and Margaret Givens in Boise or at their cabin in Lowman. Others involved annual ski trips to McCall with his parents, sister, and two brothers. Most, however, were of running around Lewiston with a pack of other neighborhood boys, some still friends to this day. As an adult, Jim also lived in Pocatello and Myrtle Creek, OR with his first wife Patty Zintek. After they divorced, he returned to Lewiston and eventually settled in Boise where he met and married Wendy Cooper. He worked for Meadow Gold Dairy from 1981 until his retirement in 2010. A Lewis-Clark State College graduate and devoted college football fan, Jim supported the Idaho Vandals and Oregon Ducks. He was an enthusiastic golfer and “black diamond” skier, but also enjoyed bike riding, swimming, running, and other sports. He loved rock music from the 1960s and “the blues” of any generation, often testing Wendy and his kids on the artist or album. He was also interested in and knowledgeable about history (particularly WWII) and current events/political news. Jim was not a demonstrative man, but he was unfailingly loyal to the people he loved. Perhaps Jim’s greatest quality was his sense of humor, which lasted until the end. In his own words, “It was a fun ride; wish I could’ve made it last longer…” Jim is survived by his parents; his wife of 31 years; children Dylan Givens, Jaime (James) Leach, and Kate (Eric) Henman; grandchildren Kylee and Brennen Givens, Elijah and Kamdyn Leach, and Walker Henman; siblings Jane Givens Mueller, J. Eric (Lenne Jo) Givens, and W. Bruce (Shelly) Givens; beloved friends Sandy and Terry Tippery; numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces/nephews, and great-nieces/nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Hannah Givens and sister-in-law, Cheryl Elmore Givens. Thank you to the compassionate emergency room and palliative care doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center who made Jim’s last hours comfortable, as well as the kind folks at Accent Funeral Home that handled his cremation. Per Jim’s request, no funeral services will be held. Instead, family and friends are invited to celebrate his life the weekend of July 14; first, by raising a glass in his honor at Hannah’s starting at 7:00 pm on Friday (7/14), followed by a gathering on Saturday (7/15) at Hillcrest Country Club from 2:00-4:00 pm.