James Phillip Beem

James (Jim) Phillip Beem, 71, died on. April 16, 2006, at his home after an extended illness. A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 2 p.m., at Cloverdale Funeral Home. Jim was born Oct. 14, 1934 in Ontario, Ore. He graduated from Ontario High in 1953. Jim spent many happy summers at his family's cabin in McCall, Idaho. He was an amazing water-skier, golfer, avid fisherman and dead shot hunter. He attended Boise Junior College (now Boise State University). He married Loretta Russell in 1956 and they moved to Boise, Idaho. They purchased the Vista Market, Vista Lockers and NuWay Foods in the late 1950s. Jim was an outstanding athlete. In high school he lettered in track and basketball. He continued to participate in Boise city leagues in basketball, softball, and bowling well into his 40s. He loved watching Boise State Football and Basketball. He was one of the original season ticket holders. He passed the love of B. S. U. sports down to his children who still attend the games in his original seats. In the 1960s he became interested in the rare coin market. He was always an entrepreneur. He had the courage to continue to explore other businesses ventures while continuing to maintain his coin and pawn shops. He was one of the charter members of the Vista Lions Club and was their President in 1965. He loved socializing. He never knew a stranger. So often he was referred to as "Good Ole Jimmy." Jim and Loretta divorced in 1989. Jim moved to Nampa where he continued to run his business Nampa Coin and Pawn. He loved being a member of the Nampa Elks. He is survived by his daughters Janice Harper (Bernard), Pamela Grove (Ron), son Jeff Beem (Stacy). He has seven grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Jeremy Harper, TJ. and Shawn Grove, Delaney and Jackson Beem, his brother Dick Beem (Jackie) of Buhl, Idaho. and sister Linda Childers (Charles) of Nampa, Idaho. He also has numerous nieces and nephews and his fiancee Connie Wright, her daughter Cami Wright (Ben). Jim was preceded in death by his parents Darrold and Marjorie Beem of Ontario, Ore. Special thanks to Sandy Jowell (caregiver) and the kind people at Mercy Hospice.