James "Jim" Leslie Porath

  Jim was born November 12, 1947, at the Indian Hospital in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to James and Nettie (Busick) Palmer. He and his younger sister (Jody) were adopted by their stepfather, Edgar Porath, on October 13, 1959. He was baptized on November 8, 1953, in Valentine, NE, at Zion Lutheran Church and later confirmed in the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Valentine on November 18, 1962.
  Jim moved with his family to Emmett, Idaho in 1964. He worked for Boise Cascade before entering the United States Navy on June 12, 1967. His last duty assignment before receiving his honorable discharge on March 19, 1971 was aboard the USS Midway (CVA-41) on the flight deck. Upon his return to Emmett, Jim went to work at Hoff Lumber Company in Horseshoe Bend which later became Boise Cascade and then transferred back to the Emmett plant in 1989. He completed his working career June 15, 2011 when the Laminated Beam plant closed.
  On May 25, 1973, he married Carla Wittenburg at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Emmett. Jim and Carla had one child, their son Brian.
  Jim played Little League Baseball as a young boy in Nebraska. The love of this sport carried into adulthood as he played on several men's softball teams in Emmett.
  Jim enjoyed sports, including Nascar, Supercross, Motocross and college football. He and Carla attended several Nascar races throughout the years. He also loved his Jeeps and belonged to the Hawley Mountain Ridge Runners and Black Canyon 4WD. He was a charter member of the Emmett ATV Club and served as its first Vice-President. He enjoyed the blues and taught himself to play the harmonica. In 1990, he competed in the first Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival, now in its 36th year. Another proud accomplishment was competing in the Emmett Triathlon alongside two of his co-workers.
  Before and after retirement they took many fun and adventurous trips from California, Arizona, Tennessee, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. They explored Montana from one end of the state to the other, including many trips into Glacier National Park. Jim especially enjoyed their trips to Salmon, Idaho, a place where they both felt a deep connection. Carla's father was born in Salmon, so it was always on their radar to visit and spend time.
  Jim was an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Indian Tribe. He was extremely proud of his Native American Heritage and the Lakota Nation and that his son is also an enrolled member.
  He was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Cheryl Woehler (Dec 2017) and Jody Snyder (Aug 2024); nephew, Matt Snyder (Jan 2022) and brother-in-law, Frank Woehler (Feb 2023). He is survived by his wife, Carla; his son, Brian and wife Jennifer of Fort Worth, TX; two granddaughters, Jessica (Anthony) Perez and Taylor Fisher, all of Fort Worth; great grandchildren Penelope, Finley, Layla and Abigail Perez; his siblings, brother Royce (Teresa) Porath of New Plymouth; sisters, Sharon (David) Welch of New Plymouth and Kimberly Porath, of Emmett; Carla's sisters, Norma (Gary) Johnson and Glenda (Tom) Ham and their children, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
  Final arrangements were under the care of the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett. At Jim's request there will be no local services. lnurnment will be with his father, James Palmer, on June 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Gordon, Nebraska at the Gordon Cemetery with full military honors given.
  We thank the Lighthouse Hospice team for the excellent care and attention provided to both Jim and his entire family. The day-to-day services as well as the "Veterans Pinning Ceremony" on March 5, 2026 and the "Renewal of Vows" ceremony for Jim and Carla's 53rd wedding anniversary on May 25, 2026 will never be forgotten. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel towards the Caregivers and Administrators at The Cottages of Emmett for their professional, compassionate and respectful care given to Jim and his family during his 132 day residence there. You have become family! We also thank Kip Buck and the staff of the Potter Funeral Chapel for their compassion and care in handling the details. To our family and friends who were always there and went on this journey with us you have Brian's and my eternal love and gratitude.

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