James Steele Sanders III, “Big Jim,” went to join our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 16, 2023, at the age of 83. He was born Feb. 18, 1940, in Sanborn, Iowa, to James Steele and Iris Lorraine Sanders. He graduated from Sanborn High School in 1958, where he was a football player and track star, and where he still holds the record for the football toss. He was an Eagle Scout and earned the Bronze, Gold and Silver Palms. He graduated from Buena Vista University in Iowa, on a football scholarship with a degree in wildlife management in 1963. He graduated from the University of Idaho with his masters in biology in 1972. He married his junior high/high school sweetheart, Joan Catherine Graham, in June 1960. They were married for 55 years. They had three children, Brian, Jeff and Shelley.

Jim and Joan moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, after Jim had finished college in 1963. Jim started working at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, Idaho. He mainly taught sophomore biology, but also physics, chemistry and math. He coached football and track and also started the Lakeland wrestling program while his college roommate, Ron TerHark, started the wrestling program at the same time at Coeur d’Alene High School. Jim and Joan began the tradition of feeding the senior class after their senior party at their house in Coeur d’Alene for many years until the classes became too big. He was the “favorite teacher” and “favorite coach,” respected and beloved at Lakeland High School, and his legacy has continued for generations.

Jim was also a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church, Coeur d’Alene, which he attended since he first moved to Coeur d'Alene. In 1977, Jim led the Presbyterian High School Youth Group of Coeur d’Alene to Wrangle, Alaska, to help with much-needed projects for the local church. He also had the pleasure and honor of helping with two World Scout Jamborees at Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho.

Jim excelled in many sports, including bowling, and was in a bowling league, where he achieved a 300 in league play.

Jim spent several of his summers calculating the odds and payouts as a mutual manager at the Coeur d'Alene horse race track, Playfair race track and of the horse racing circuit in southern Idaho, Washington and the Oregon coast. He employed several workers to assist him in running a well-managed operation throughout the region.

Jim discovered a brown woodland frog that was thought to be extinct. It was up in the Priest Lake area and he led local scientists to the area to confirm the discovery.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent much of his free time enjoying the great outdoors. He was a great hunting/fishing guide. Known as the “Moose Whisperer” to many in the Priest Lake area, he led several friends and acquaintances in filling their once-in-a-lifetime moose tags. He was known as “Trailblazer Jim” for so many aspects of his life — teaching, coaching, hunting, fishing, huckleberry picking, mountain biking trails, you name it.

Jim is survived by his three children, son Brian Sanders (Julie Mattson) of Coeur d'Alene, son Jeff (Suzann) Sanders of Twin Lakes, daughter Shelley Sanders of Coeur d'Alene, sister Sherry (Doug) Morfitt of Coeur d’Alene, second wife Wendy Taylor of Hayden, grandchildren Tian Sanders of Coeur d’Alene, Briessa Sanders (Paul Lash) of Spokane, Austin Sanders of Twin Lakes and Payton Sanders of Boise. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Sanders; infant sister Emily, mother Iris Lorraine Sanders and father James Steele Sanders Jr. A special thanks to all of the staff at Pacifica Memory Care, Auburn Crest Hospice and Wendy Taylor.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene, with a reception to follow. A gathering at the Eagles with light snacks will follow the reception. Attendees are asked to wear something camo in memory of “Big Jim.” You may visit Jim’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yates.funeralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org/)