James Wallace Edinger passed away Thursday, July 16, 2015, which would have been the anniversary of the birth of his first grandson, P.J., surrounded by his family. Jim was born on Nov. 11, 1937, in Aberdeen, S.D., to Lawrence L. Edinger and Reva M. (Knott) Edinger.

Around 1940, the family moved to Southern California where Jim attended school through his junior year of high school. The family then moved to Coeur d'Alene where he graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1956. He then attended North Idaho Junior College receiving his teaching certificate.

Jim taught at Bryan Elementary for a year, then worked at Potlatch, the United States Postal Service and School District No. 271 (Canfield Jr. High) where he retired in 1997 due to health reasons. Jim loved to work.

Jim was an ASA umpire for the Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Department for more than 35 years. He officiated men's and women's softball. He was the District No. 1 umpire in chief for 30 years. Jim also served for 25 years as the umpire assignor scheduling umpires for games for North Idaho cities and leagues. He was very popular with the players and made many friends throughout the softball community. Jim, with his two brothers, Ron and Dick (commonly known as the "3 Blind Mice") umpired many championship games at Memorial Field during the Lake City Invitational and several state tournaments. He umpired in more than 25 state and regional tournaments and four national tournaments. Jim was inducted into the Idaho ASA Hall of Fame in 2005. Jim also officiated youth and men's basketball for 25 years and served as the treasurer.

Jim never missed a day checking out all the box scores in the sports section and the stock market of the Coeur d'Alene Press, always with a toothpick in his mouth. He enjoyed many trips with his dad and brothers cutting firewood, especially buckskin tamarack.

Jim married Marie E. Pearcy on Oct. 7, 1965, in Anchorage, Alaska. Together they had five children. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 42 years and served as a deacon and elder. Some of his fondest memories were of the years he spent as a counselor and mentor to junior high, high school and college students through the church.

Jim and Marie enjoyed traveling in their RV, spending time at their lake cabin and in 1998 Jim had so much fun building a log cabin in North Idaho with his brother-in-law, "Tink." He loved the outdoors and working in the yard, but his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marie, of almost 50 years at their family home in Coeur d'Alene; children, Kathy Edinger Dingman (Coeur d'Alene), Terri (Mike) Redmond (Boise), Bob (Elaine) Edinger (Post Falls), Chuck (Judy) Hines (Spokane) and Sherri Rose Hamley (Coeur d'Alene); 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and his faithful companion, Joey Rambo. Jim was looking forward to his first great-great-grandchild due in December. He is also survived by his two brothers, Ron (Nancy) Edinger and Dick (Jeannie) Edinger. Brothers-in-law, Dann "Tink" (Cindy) Pearcy and Doyne (Sharon) Pearcy; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Reva; and his first grandson, Patrick Lee "P.J." Dingman Jr.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Tim Lessmeier and his staff, and Hospice of North Idaho.

A viewing is scheduled for from 6-7 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2015, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church located at Sixth and Lakeside, Coeur d'Alene.

Because of Jim's love of youth sports, in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate you considering a donation to the Coeur d'Alene Recreation Department, in c/o Steve Anthony at 710 Mullan Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 to provide youth scholarships for children in this community that he loved so much.

Visit Jim's memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.