James L. "Jim" Hull

1944 - 2011

PRESTON - James "Jim" Laird Hull, 66, passed away on Jan. 25, 2011, at his home in Preston, Idaho. He was born on June 20, 1944, in Boise, Idaho, to Alvin C. and Mayme Laird Hull. Jim moved with his family to Ft. Collins, Colo., Arlington, Va., and then to Logan, Utah, where he attended Adams School, Logan Jr. High, and Logan High School. He attended Ricks College and Utah State University.
Jim enjoyed motorcycles and Jeeps as a young man. He was a Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. During the summers while he was in high school, he worked on his grandfather's farm in Whitney, Idaho. He also worked as a counselor at Scout camp. He served in the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War where he received commendations for his bravery and leadership as a platoon leader.
After serving in the Army, he began working for IBG International, building commercial greenhouses throughout the Middle, Eastern and Southern United States. He has been to all of the states in the U.S. except North Dakota and Alaska. During this time, he was sent as the foreman to build greenhouses in Greece and Saudi Arabia. While he was in Saudi Arabia, he met and married his wife, Sofia Ibrahim, who was living there after escaping the Communist reign in Ethiopia. They were married in Nairobi, Kenya. Their first child, David Anthony, was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jim and Sofia returned to the United States and lived in Logan with his parents for a short time. They moved to Preston where he worked with heavy equipment together with his cousin Butch Hull. Later, Jim went into concrete construction business. His son David became his assistant and later took over the business from Jim.
During the years in Preston, his two daughters Davina Ann, and Danica Ash, were born. He enjoyed taking his family on trips, showing them new places and spending time together. He was active in the Kiwanis service organization, serving as president one year. He worked as a Scout leader and had a vast knowledge of camping and river rafting. He was a good friend and enjoyed helping others. Jim's fondness for Jeeps has continued and with the help of his son, they have collected five various models. Jim has done concrete work for many people in Preston and is well known for his expertise and reliability.
He is survived by his wife Sofia, of Preston; his children, David, of Preston; Davina, of Pocatello, Idaho; and Danica, of Preston; sisters Susan Burstedt, of Pocatello, Idaho; and Mary Kay (Bill) Lorch, of Alaska; his father-in-law Ibrahim Mohammed, of Eritrea, Africa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and her husband Nancy and Dale Manning; a brother-in-law Carl Burstedt, a niece Heather Smith, and his mother-in-law Fekadu Ibrahim.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, 2010, at noon at Webb Funeral Home's new location, 1005 S. 800 East in Preston with Bishop Doug Larsen conducting. A viewing will be held Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Whitney Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com.