James Moore Durfee

1929 - 2026

James Moore Durfee, 96, of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away March 6, 2026 at the Life Care Center in Sandpoint.

Jim was born October 29, 1929 in Mitchell, Nebraska to Andrew Loyd and Ethel (Moore) Durfee. He graduated from Mitchell High School before launching himself into a long and successful career in sales. Jim worked his way up to sales manager at Kizzier Chevrolet in Scottsbluff where he thrived for many years. He got his pilot's license and an airplane. When he was a young man, Jim was determined to own a boat or an airplane. He ended up acquiring both!

In 1950, Jim married Miriam Bauer of Scottsbluff. They had two daughters, Barb and Karen, and later divorced.

In 1972, Jim married Barbara (Gompert) Green of Nampa, Idaho, formerly of the Mitchell Valley. They had been classmates at Mitchell High School in the 1940s. Together, they owned and operated All American Homes in Greeley, Colorado. Their success in selling manufactured and mobile homes allowed them to travel the world with their good friends, Bud and Janet Seeger of Colorado Springs and other dealers from around the country. They visited at least 15 countries and made many trips to Hawai'i. Jim always seemed to come home with a few foreign coins in his pocket from the places they visited.

After retiring to Caldwell, Idaho, Jim and Barb enjoyed spending time with family and wintering in Yuma, Arizona. Jim could be found in the woods with Barb's sons, Dave and Martin, hunting elk in the fall and morels in the spring or plinking in the desert most any time of year. Jim and Barb liked to root for the Denver Broncos, have some fun at the casinos, and watch Jeopardy! In fact, they went to Hollywood to watch a taping of Jeopardy! and meet Alex Trabek. Barb passed away in 2015.

Jim shared the last ten years of his life with his companion, Myrna Payne of Sandpoint, Idaho. The family is grateful for the affection and care Myrna and her family have shown to Jim.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and wives; his siblings Loyd, Vinnie and Ethelyn; his sons-in-law Clyde Schaneman and J.R. Scott; grandson Kyle Batt; and great-grandson Jackson Brass.

He is survived by his daughters, Barb Schaneman of Ashland, Nebraska, and Karen (Jim) Herigstad of Minot, North Dakota; Barb Green's children, David (Chris) Green; Wendy Green; Diane Scott; and Martin (Barbara) Green; nephews Bob and Mike Durfee and Harold Lewis; and nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial gifts in Jim's name would be welcomed by the Idaho Youth Ranch.