James (Jim) H. McKahan, 95, of Coeur d’Alene, died Aug. 27, 2012, at Kootenai Medical Center. Jim was born Aug. 20, 1917, in Kent, Iowa, the son of James and Estella McKahan.

They moved to Coeur d’Alene when he was 3 years old. He graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1936. After high school, Jim began his college days at the University of Idaho. He entered the Navy in the fall of 1941 where he traveled around the U.S. studying instrument aviation for the Navy fighter planes. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 26, 1945, as Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate.

On Dec. 28, 1946, Jim married Esther (Mickie) Trekell at St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Coeur d’Alene. In 1947, Jim graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He started as a forester at the Winton Sawmill (Northwest Timber) where the Riverstone Development is located today. At Northwest Timber, his career grew to logging manager and later moved on to the Spokane corporate office for Pack River Company as VP Resource Manager. During this time, Pack River Company was the sixth largest producer of lumber in the U.S. He retired in August 1979 and began to travel with Mickie to see the U.S in their RV.

After graduating from college, Jim and Mickie lived at Mullan Park which is now McEuen Field. In 1950, they built a home in the Fort Grounds where they raised two sons (Scott and Randy). They built a retirement home in 1974 on Fernan Lake. For the last year and one half, he has been at Legend’s Park Assisted Living.

Some of his accomplishments were president of the Hoo Hoo Club, president of Sherman Elementary School PTA and an elder at the Coeur d’Alene Bible Church. Jim’s hobbies were hunting, fishing, back packing into high mountain lakes, traveling, building a summer cabin at Priest Lake and logging on the family tree farm.

His is survived by his wife, Mickie, of nearly 65 years; his two sons, Scott and Randy (Ruth Anne); grandchildren, Jamie, Shawn, Lindsey and Chris; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, at Yates Coeur d’Alene Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, with burial following at Forest Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church.

The family prefers memorials to the American Cancer Society, the Museum of North Idaho or Coeur d’Alene Bible Church.

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