James Edward Stewart

James (Jimmy) E. Stewart, 95 of Monteview, Idaho, passed away March 7, 2024, from natural causes.

Jimmy was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1928 to Charles and Nellie Stewart. He lived on North Ridge Street. He attended Holy Rosary grade school and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. He also attended the University of Idaho until the start of hunting season.

As a teenager Jim worked at Broulims and Brown and Gesas. Jim also had a Christmas tree business for many years.

Jim and his brothers wanted to take advantage of a grant to build a voluntary fire department. To get this grant, Mud Lake needed to be incorporated as a town. He and an older brother successfully lobbied for the incorporation.

In 1947, Jim bought his first acreage in Monteview from his mother and started farming. Jim went into the Army in 1954. He was stationed at White Sands by Las Cruces, New Mexico.  He made many great and lasting friendships in the service.

On October 9, 1954, Jim and Edna Bielby were married at St. Charles Catholic Church in Salmon. They returned to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Jim was still serving in the Army. While in New Mexico, their son Curtis was born in August of 1955. Jim got out of the Army and they moved back home to continue farming. Besides farming for several years, they raised sheep. Diana was born in June 1959 and Karen came one year later in August. Jim and Edna raised feeder cows for several years and then went into the Holstein heifer business.

Jim was a charter member of the West Jefferson Lions Club. He enjoyed the service that organization gave to the community.

As a family they vacationed in their camper, always attending the Island Park Rodeo. The family also spent a great deal of time in the Birch Creek area. Jim and Edna both loved to fly fish.

In 1959, Jim received a phone call from the railroad in Roberts. His church was on a rail car and when would he like to come and get it. He was unaware that he had even ordered a church. With a great deal of help from the Mud Lake community, St. Ann’s Catholic Church was built. Jim and Edna loved to travel. In 1980, they started spending their summers in Monteview and winters in Lake Havasu Arizona. After Edna passed, Jim continued to snowbird until he moved into Fairwinds Sandcreek Retirement Community. The family would like to thank the staff at Fairwinds for their exceptional assistance.

Jimmy is survived by his three children, Curtis (Brenda) Stewart of Idaho Falls, Diana Thomason of Hailey, and Karen (Roy) Stoddart of Monteview. Three grandchildren Jim (Chelsey) Stoddart, Bill Stoddart, and Bob (Lacy) Stoddart. Five great grandchildren Cassidie Magera, Sadie Magera, Cydnie Magera, Allie Stoddart, and Aiden Stoddart.

A private graveside service will be held later this year.