James Edwin Kantola

  James “Jim” Edwin Kantola , age 82, of Emmett, Idaho, passed away on October 25, 2025 at Nampa Care Center in Nampa, Idaho. He was born on January 3, 1943, in Cascade, Idaho to Elma Elizabeth and Edwin Eli Kantola.

   Jim grew up in McCall, Idaho, where he and his sister Nadene attended elementary through high school. Jim developed an early interest in athletics, namely basketball, football, and track and field. He graduated high school with honors in 1961 from McCall-Donnelly High School.

   To bring in extra money, Jim began his career trucking in the logging industry in the early 1960’s in and around the central Idaho area. He had a great passion for trucking in additional industries as well, where he continued to do so for over 50 years until he retired, one of the longest-serving truckers in Idaho’s history.

   He went on to attend the College of Idaho and graduated cum laude in 1966, earning a Doctorate in Education. Jim met Sherri Hughes during their time at the College and the two of them married in Melba, Idaho after they graduated. They raised two loving sons, Jamie and Kody.

   Post-college, Jim went on to serve as a school principal, and school district superintendent. He also coached basketball, football and track and field with multiple high schools in the central and southeastern Idaho regions. Jim also served as a board administrator at the College of Southern Idaho.

   He remarried in 1982 to Nancy Bower, and they raised a loving son, Stephen.

   Jim married the love of his life, Marianne Fry, in 1989 in Emmett, and she reared two loving children in a previous marriage, Brandon and Annelie. They remained in loving union for the rest of his life, building a foundation to raise their family with values based on love, personal accountability and traditional, conservative family values.

   He had an undying work ethic, not only in the vocations described above, but also as a cattle rancher and farmer of alfalfa and grain, managing over 150 acres of farmland at his peak. He sometimes worked three jobs to help his family live a life of ease, while always ensuring his family’s core needs were met and exceeded.

   Jim will always be remembered for his passion to serve, his love for sport, his radiant smile and sense of humor, and his undying devotion to family.

   Jim is preceded by his sister, Nadene McGovern, sons Jamie Kantola, Kody Kantola, and stepdaughter Annelie Fry.

   Survivors include wife Marianne Kantola, son Stephen Kantola and stepson Brandon Fry.

   A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM at the St.
Mary’s Episcopal Church, 219 E 1st St, Emmett, ID 83617. Drinks and cookies will be served
afterwards for family and friends to visit at the church.

   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an education-based charity of your choice, honoring Jim’s passion to educate youth, If preferred, you may also donate to a charity of your liking.

   The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the excellent care provided by the hospice staff – Jennifer Bartlett and Julie Gough - for their compassionate care and support.

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