Jim Bonds 007 (Oscar James Bonds) passed away Dec. 31, 2022, at the age of 89. He was born on Sept. 10, 1933, in Cache, Okla., to Elmer and Nora Mae (Rogers) Bonds. He joined his older sister, Lillian, older brother, Harold, and gained a younger brother, Lee Wayne, a few years later. Jim lived in Oklahoma with his dad after his parents divorced until he was 14 years old, when he went to St. Maries, Idaho, to visit with his mother and stepfather, Howard Kendall. After returning to Oklahoma, Jim decided he didn’t want to stay and hopped the train to return to his mom’s, where he began high school.

During high school, Jim played multiple sports and held part-time jobs to support those activities. He met Sharen Moshinsky his junior year and they dated for many years. He attended University of Idaho after graduating from high school, but after a year he joined the Army. He was in the Army for two years, stationed in Germany. After his time in the service, he went to electronic school in Chicago. He returned to St. Maries and worked in the sawmill until 1962, when he began working for GTE as an electronic technician.

Jim and Sharen were married Aug. 4, 1957, where they made their home in St. Maries and added Steve and Brian to their family. The family was transferred to the Tri-Cities and Erin was born. The family moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1965, where they have lived ever since. Jim was involved in all of his kids' activities, from Boy Scouts, following his son Brian’s baseball career, and even father/daughter Campfire dinners. Jim was also a member of the Elk’s and Eagle’s in St. Maries for over 50 years.

Jim worked for GTE for 29.75 years, retiring in 1992. He and Sharen enjoyed going to BINGO and traveling, especially on a cruise ship. They were married for 60 years before Sharen passed away in 2017. He was a wonderful caregiver to her in her final years.

Jim is proceeded in death by his parents; Elmer Bonds and Nora Mae Kendall, his step-father; Howard Kendall, his siblings Lillian, Harold, and Wayne; his brother-in-law Julian Carson, sister-in-law Margie Bonds, his in-laws; Matt and Dorothy Moshinsky and his daughter in-law, Irma Carlson, and son in-law Michael Sheldon.

Jim leaves behind his children; Steve, Brian and Pam, Erin and Patrick, his grandchildren, Matthew Bonds and Kortney, Kelsi Bonds, Megan Delaney and Andrew, and his great-grandson, Jasper, who was Papa’s buddy; they loved spending time together. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Skip Bonds of Medical Lake, Wash., and many nieces and nephews along with those he considered family.

Special thanks to his girls: Elisa Nordin, Kelly Smith, Dottie Bentley and Veona Ackerman, who helped him live his best life for the last 20 months.

Celebration of life will be held at a later date this spring.