Jimmy Lee Easling

Jimmy Easling passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017. He was born April 27, 1945, in Mason City Hospital in Coulee Dam, Washington, to James and Evelyn Easling. He graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1963, and went on to join the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey for nine months of electrical warfare equipment repair school. From there he had on the job training in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. In 1966, he met Christine Grandinetti while working at Value Mart in Spokane Valley. As she was the love of his life, they married April 21, 1967, and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary next month. Jimmy worked for the telephone company for over 30 years. He also continued with the Army Reserves and retired in 1991 after 26 years of service.

Jimmy loved camping, fishing, boating and snowmobiling on his property on the Pend Oreille River. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. For several years, he and Christine were snowbirds traveling to Sun City, Arizona before building a permanent home on the river five years ago.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Christine, at their home, in Cusick; his daughter, Stacey (Eric) Jenkin of Spokane Valley; grandchildren: Ryan Jenkin, of Spokane Valley, Washington, and Kyley (Alandra) of Springfield, Oregon, his daughter, Heather (Rich) Raynor, of Spokane Valley, grandchildren: Kendra and Sierra Hamm of Spokane Valley, Garrett Black of Spokane Valley and his sister, Linda (Dan) Zlateff of Coulee Dam. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Washington. Jimmy wanted this to be a celebration of his life and in honoring his request please feel free to wear Hawaiian clothes.

Jimmy loved dogs and adopted several throughout the years. Donations may be made on his behalf to Panhandle Animal Shelter, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Rd, Pend Orielle, ID 83852.

Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Washington, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.