On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, James C. Lemon “slipped the surly bonds of earth” when Jesus held out his hand and took him home. Jim embodied perseverance and determination, living 28 years with four different cancer diagnoses. This enduring hardship gave him a deep compassion for others living with cancer and he was always eager to provide encouragement to his fellow cancer warriors. Despite his cancer journey he managed to live a wonderfully full and rewarding life.
He was born in Colfax, to Ahira and Lola Belle Lemon, on April 22, 1945, at the old St. Ignatius Hospital. The birth of his sister, Lolita, completed the family, both growing up in Garfield. Jim had vivid stories of riding bikes and horses, swimming at the pool in Palouse and shooting rats with his .22 rifle at the dump. He especially enjoyed going to the “ranch” with his dad. The “ranch” was property his great-grandfather homesteaded in 1881 on the Dry Creek Road. Jim was grateful that this property remains in the family, as it is a place treasured by his grandchildren for target practice and summer family picnics.
He was an avid Boy Scout, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He often spoke fondly of his formative years working with his uncles, Don and Dick Kriebel and his grandpa Kriebel. He graduated from Garfield High School (not Gar-Pal) in 1963 and went on to study at Eastern Washington University where he met Kathy Clauson. The City Girl and the Country Boy really hit it off.
During the Vietnam Conflict, Jim decided to enlist in the United States Air Force. Knowing Kathy would be a great life partner, he proposed. After a year of engagement both families caravanned to Altus, Okla., where they were married in the base chapel, on Jan. 23, 1966. Son James Edward (Jamie) arrived on Nov. 1, 1968, and Jim was honorably discharged from the Air Force.
Soon after, the young family returned to Whitman County and settled in Colfax. In May 1970, daughter Kristin arrived. Jim worked for Darigold Farms for a few years before finding his way into the agricultural sector working for Palouse Producers, Western Ag and Colfax Grange Supply. In 1991, Jim joined The McGregor Company working in the equipment division before moving to serve as the safety and regulatory officer. During his employment Jim was honored as manager of the year in 2006. He retired in 2014 after 23 years of dedicated service to The McGregor Company. Jim was a member of the Far West Agribusiness Association, serving as the president of the board of directors in 2009 and was honored with their Marilyn Cramer Safety Award in 2010. In all, Jim spent 42 years serving our local agricultural community.
Adjustment to retirement was a challenge, so Jim bought a motorcycle (what better way to adjust) and enjoyed riding the countryside with his friend Jerry. He also found opportunities to serve his community. Being a faithful patriot he focused his efforts on recognizing American Veterans for their service. Jim and Cherry Alice VanTine spent months combing through records in the basement of the funeral home in Colfax to find every serviceman buried in the Colfax Cemetery. This led to a map of all veteran graves which were honored on Memorial Day with individual flags placed on each grave. He also remembered service members in the Steptoe Cemetery by helping with the Wreathes Across America program each December. He was dedicated to growing Codd-French Post 41, American Legion, where he served in various leadership roles. Jim was a proud recipient of a Quilts of Valor quilt.
Jim enjoyed picking huckleberries and reading in the shade at our treasured family property on Priest Lake. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them the value of “hard work,” which is a legacy that lives on in each of their adult lives. If Jim were asked, “for what characteristic would you most like to be remembered?” he would answer, “my sense of humor!” He found humor in the most trivial or trying times. Even the most grueling medical procedures were fodder for his humor.
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathy, at Hill-Ray Plaza in Colfax; son, Jamie Lemon and wife Jill, of Spokane, and grandsons Gavin, Casey and Jesse Lemon; daughter Kristin Kackman and husband Jim, in Colfax, grandson Alex Kackman and wife Payton, and granddaughter Kylie Kackman; and sister Lolita Sutton of Spokane, and her children. He leaves behind a large group of Lemon cousins, whom he adored, and joins, in heaven, the predeceased Lemon Girls.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Colfax Community Church (formerly Colfax United Methodist Church), 109 S. Mill St., Colfax.
The family wishes to convey their heartfelt gratitude to Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics especially Dr. Singh and Dr. Rajeev Rajendra at Palouse Oncology, the nurses, and others who gave him exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics, Colfax Fire Department, or Colfax Community Church in Jim’s name.
Corbeill Funeral Home of Colfax is in charge of arrangements. The online guest book is at corbeillfuneralhomes.com.
