James Francis Sontag

James Francis Sontag (Jim), 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho.

Born October 8, 1936, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to James J. Sontag and Sadie Auger Sontag, Jim graduated from Bemidji State University with a teaching degree.

He married Lena A. Cripps (Lee) of Crosby, Minnesota, in 1961, and they raised two sons, Gary and Jack.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Jim taught school in Lompoc, California, and Gackle, North Dakota. He later served as a Job Corps administrator before joining the Forest Service as a personnel manager in Milwaukee and Blackwell, Wisconsin, and Pocatello, Idaho.

After retiring, he substitute taught in Pocatello.

An avid sportsman, Jim cherished hunting, fishing, travel, and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings.

Predeceased by his wife, Lee (2020), and parents, Jim is survived by sons Gary of Pocatello, ID, Jack (Cheryl) of Manteca, CA; grandsons Darick (Mikenzi) of Idaho Falls, ID, Tyler (Victoria) of Pocatello, ID; great-granddaughter Navi; sister Barbara Bohn (Bill) of Bagley, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

A joint memorial service for Jim and Lee will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 215 18th Ave., Pocatello, ID, followed by a public reception with lunch.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org) or American Cancer Society (cancer.org) in memory of Jim and Lee