James Fred Christie, 76

James Fred Christie, 76, passed away, at his home in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

Private family services will be held later.

James was born in Burlington, Iowa, on Aug. 20, 1940, the son of Austin and Ada Christy. The family moved to California and he graduated from high school in 1958 in Clovis, Calif. He married Roylene Frazer on Sept. 21, 1958 in Clovis.

He was a cowboy, working out of Fallon, Nev., for a number of years. He would return to Clovis and work in construction as a carpenter, moving to the Sandpoint area in 1990. He retired, as a superintendent, in commercial construction in 2014.

He enjoyed horses and Western dancing, with Roylene, winning many contests. He was known as a “master tinkerer, who could build anything out of nothing.”

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Roylene Christy in Sandpoint; two children, Jeannie Vest in Sandpoint; James Christy Jr. in Sagle; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great;grandchildren; a brother Austin J. Christy in California; two sisters Carol Hogue in Oregon; Marjorie Hutchens in California. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Donna.

Final arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service.