James Paul Repp

James Paul Repp (Jim) passed away on December 31, 2025. It was a peaceful goodbye at home, with his wife Debbie, by his side.

Jim was born on January 29, 1953 in Colfax, WA to James and Gloria Repp, joining his sister Sheila to complete the family. Doctors quickly discovered that he had a heart murmur from a hole in his heart, and at the age of 7, he underwent open heart surgery in Spokane. It was a risky, newer surgery but the repair held for 60+ years allowing him a full life, far beyond early expectations.

He recovered and went on to graduate from Colfax High School in 1971 where he met Debbie (Semler). They dated while he attended Washington State University for a year. However, during that time, Jim learned about a Cardiovascular Tech program at Spokane Community College that greatly interested him, so he left WSU and moved to Spokane. Upon completing his Cardiovascular Tech degree in 1974, Jim went to work at Deaconess Hospital, where he stayed for over 40 years before retiring in 2016.

Debbie's family also happened to move to Spokane around the same time as Jim, so they were able to continue dating, and eventually married on June 14, 1975. From 1978-1981 they welcomed three daughters; Jennifer, Pam, and Krystal.

Jim liked to stay active in his free time, playing and coaching softball, golfing with his friends and father, riding his bike, mowing his yards with precision, and keeping up with his girls. For downtime, he loved watching football, baseball, and college basketball, and he was an avid movie goer. Friends would describe him as humble and soft-spoken, but he had a warm sense of humor and a playful side that those closest to him cherished.

Jim's family and friends meant everything to him. Their happiness was his priority. He was kind and dependable, loyal and principled. He was always the person you called when you needed help. He left his mark on his community through love and compassion and was able to receive it in return as he said goodbye.

Jim was a man of faith who was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. The weight of his loss is lightened by the peace of knowing he is feeling God's love while reuniting with his parents and youngest daughter, Krystal.

Jim is survived by his wife Debbie; daughters Pam and Jennifer; sons-in-law Zak Menkel and Jason McNair; granddaughter Hadley; sister Sheila and her husband Bob Clark; and many siblings-in-law and nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.