James P. Etcheverry, 77, a resident of Pullman, WA., passed away Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Pullman Regional Hospital. A Memorial Service will be Thursday, November 10th, at 10:00 a.m. at Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman.
James was born March 15, 1939, in Fruita, Colorado, to Pete and Isa Nix Etcheverry, the oldest of their five children. He grew up in Fruita where his dad was a sheep herder, and he often spent time up in the mountains watching the flock. Always an avid reader, Jim loved to read while the sheep quietly grazed. He graduated from high school in Fruita and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Jim served as a sonar operator aboard Navy ships and saw duty in the South Pacific and beyond. Upon being honorably discharged he returned to his home in Colorado and began working at a gas station and auto repair business. While working there, he met Roberta Hopkins, and after a brief courtship they married on April 1, 1966, in Fruita. Jim worked his entire life as a heavy equipment operator, and they moved from job to job in their small travel trailer. Once they started to have children they settled in Carbondale, Colorado.
Jim was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He loved to fish, especially for trout in the Colorado streams. Hunting with his brothers or his in-laws was usually an annual activity as well. In addition to reading, he also liked to watch TV, follow the Denver Broncos, and build model airplanes or boats often out of balsa wood. At the time of his retirement, Jim’s entire career had been with the same construction company. He and Roberta moved to Pullman, Washington, twelve years ago to be closer to family.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Roberta, at their Pullman home; 4 children, Michelle (LuWellyn) Leany of Santaquin, UT., Jim (Sara) Etcheverry of Machias, NY., Bill (Kimberly) Etcheverry of Auburn, WA., and Mary Ann (Eric) Kauwe of Pullman; 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Joyce Kohls and Willie Elder; and 2 brothers, Clyde and Robert Etcheverry. Jim was preceded in death by a two-year-old daughter, Kathleen, and by his parents. Online guest book is at http://www.kimballfh.com.
Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is in charge of the arrangements.