James Richard Countryman, of Coeur d'Alene, died Feb. 14, 2011, at his home. He was born Feb. 9, 1936, in Boise to Winston and Ruth (Steele) Countryman, the middle child of three sons.

Jim spent his early years working on the family farm, graduated from Boise High School, Boise Junior College (now Boise State University), attended Washington State University, graduated from the College of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in business science and economics, and received a master's degree from Pacific Coast Banking School.

Jim began his 33-year banking career with Idaho First National Bank (now part of US Bank) in Mountain Home, transferred to Blackfoot, became a branch manager and eventually manager/vice-president in Coeur d'Alene, then transferred to Idaho Falls where he retired. After his initial retirement he moved his primary residence back to his beloved Coeur d'Alene, but spent the winter golfing in Lake Havasu, Ariz., where he bought a second home.

In his career with Idaho First, and after, wherever he was located, he became active in community leadership and development. He was president of Rotary International in both Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene, president and ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce in both those communities, served on the founding boards for the North Idaho Museum, the Kootenai Regional Medical Center and KRMC Foundation, and North Idaho Cancer Center. He was named Coeur d'Alene's distinguished citizen of the year in 1986. He served as a founding member of the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency, and a founding member of Colonial Theatre and Arts. He also served as a deacon at Coeur d'Alene First Presbyterian Church.

Jim loved music, played clarinet in high school, college and with the Boise City Band, and sang tenor with Coeur d'Alene First Presbyterian Church, Idaho Falls First Presbyterian Church and Lake Havasu Community Presbyterian Church choirs. During his time with the Idaho Falls choir he performed at the Advent Festival in Vienna, Austria. He was an avid year-round golfer, loved skiing and was a member of National Ski Patrol, and coached his youngest daughter's basketball team.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughters, Cari Sutton and Cathi Green (Robert); son Corey (Theresa); brothers, Donald (Elaine) and David (Karen) of Boise; grandchildren, Clara Sutton, Stephanie Smalley, Mercedi Smalley, Shannon Ramsey (Andrew), Ian and Ceilidh Countryman, Dustin, Courtney, Devon and Robert (Jr.) Green, and Maryah Mellem (Tyler); and great-grandchildren, Eden Mellem and Archie Ramsey.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church, Sixth and Lakeside, Coeur d'Alene, with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements.

Please visit Jim's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.