James "Jim" Talmadge Harston

1954 - 2017

(Age 62) "Because I have been given much I too must give." He was called home while doing one of the things he loved most. He died in a rafting incident on May 8, 2017, in Bonner's Ferry, ID. Jim was born on June 18, 1954 in Moscow, ID to parents, Clarence Briggs "CB" and Ruth Harston. He was raised in Albion, WA, and spent a couple of years in Pakistan during his youth. He served a two-year mission in French Polynesia for his church. His experiences living in foreign countries gave him a love for all cultures and all people, and that love was felt by everyone who knew him. He met his wife, Kim Nelson in Tacoma, WA. They were married on July 8, 1983 in the Seattle LDS temple. He received a BA in Communications from BYU and J.D. from the University of Puget Sound. They raised their family in Tacoma, WA, and Thornton, WA, and settled in Spokane, WA in recent years. Three words that sum up Jim's life are: Service, Scouting, and Stories. Jim was as an active and life-long Scouter, and leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. It was impossible to leave Jim without a smile on your face, having heard a story (or ten), and being offered service. Service defined his life. His friends and family are confident that if anything needs fixing in heaven, Jim will be the first one there, just as he was in life, with a hundred ideas about what to do, while talking the ears off all the angels. Jim is survived by his wife, Kimberly Lu Nelson; and children: Maranna (and Ryan) Hollist, Briggs (and Rachel) Harston, Clarissa (and Levi) Shaw, and Reed (and Narriman) Harston. He also leaves eight grandchildren; his stepmother, Lavon Harston; and six siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents CB and Ruth Harston. A viewing will be held on Monday, May 15, from 12-4:30pm at Heritage Funeral Home. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 10am, at the LDS Chapel, 2112 West Francis, Spokane, WA. A graveside service will immediately follow the funeral at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, 211 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Jim Harston Memorial Fund. Please contact Heidi Scott at wordengineer@gmail.com or 509-565-0279 for instructions on how to donate.