James Hunter

James Leland Hunter, 54, of Idaho Falls, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, as a result of a heart attack.

He was born Feb. 7, 1957, in Rexburg to Ephraim John Hunter and Vera Lu Mortensen Hunter. While young, his family moved to Idaho Falls, where he attended local schools and graduated from "Dear Old IF High." During these years, James developed his passion for sports, particularly football. He was blessed with coaches who had a profound influence on his life. This inspired him to reach out to others, where he influenced the lives of countless youths as they participated in the sports programs in Idaho Falls. James stayed involved in the Idaho Falls High School football program his entire life, where he was an assistant coach and then he filmed games for 20 years.

He served a full-time mission to Houston, Texas, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning, he attended Ricks College, then Brigham Young University.

On Aug. 16, 1979, he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Elaine Byerly, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Theirs was a marriage blessed with love, lots of laughter, friendship and wonderful memories -- truly a marriage to last through the eternities. James and Debbie were blessed with seven children: Jaylee, Adam, Shane, April, Jodie, Ashley and Jaxon. James learned the true definition of joy through the lives of his children. At the end of a 12-hour work day, he would still have energy to come home and play with his kids. He could be found at each and every event in which they were participating.

James worked at Treasure Dental Lab for 31 years. He considered the Barry Treasure Family his "second family." He developed a close relationship with many of the dentists in Idaho Falls, who not only respected him as a professional but valued him as a friend. His smiling face and easy laugh will be missed in many workplaces throughout Idaho Falls.

James was a diligent and faithful member of his church. His genuine love of the people he served reflected the teachings of the Savior to love one another. His church positions brought him into the homes of strangers and his unique ability to care left them friends for life. He enjoyed each calling he held, whether it was Scoutmaster, bishop or stake president.

Anyone, of any age, who was blessed to know James Hunter would come to know the goodness of his heart and their lives were changed forever. James lived by the motto of "Don't simply endure to the end, but rather enjoy to the end!" James is survived by his sweet wife, Debbie; daughters, Jaylee (Dustin) Patterson of Boise, April (Nathan) Baird of Idaho Falls, Jodie (Parker) Bradshaw of Idaho Falls, and Ashley, currently attending BYU; sons, Adam (Katie) Hunter of Idaho Falls, Shane (Carrie) Hunter of Ephraim, Utah, and Jaxon Hunter of Idaho Falls; and six darling granddaughters, Addi, Halle, Anna, Tinlee, Huntley and Stella. He is also survived by his siblings, John, Colleen and Kevin Hunter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ephraim and Vera Lu Hunter; a brother, Douglas Jay; and his father-in-law, Darrell E. Byerly.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at the Idaho Falls LDS Central Stake Center, 2025 Jennie Lee Drive, with Bishop Paul Manning conducting. The family will visit with friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church prior to services. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.

Family Tribute