James Robert Prunty

James Robert “Jim” Prunty

Jim loved life.  He always said he lived in the most amazing time in history:  born and raised in the days of the horse and buggy, and his later years in the era of technology, where computers have become the essence of everything, from cars to cameras to communication.

Jim was born in Boise on November 21st, 1924.  He died on June 26, 2018.  But that isn't the story.  The story is what happened in between.  Jim always loved the poem “The Dash”, by Linda Ellis.  It is about what you do with your life between the dates.  Jim lived by that poem.

Jim was raised by his adoptive parents, Guy B. and Etta Himes Prunty, on a ranch in Muldoon, Idaho. He attended a one-room country schoolhouse through 8th grade, then transferred to and graduated from Twin Falls High School. Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, including on the notorious Bougainville Island. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 with the rank of Seargent.

Jim met and married his first wife, Marjorie J. Smith, in San Diego, CA in August 1945 while still serving in the Marine Corps. They had one son together:  Thomas James Prunty. After his tour of duty ended, Jim lived with his wife and son on the Prunty Ranch in Muldoon during the summer and in Jerome in the winter. He and Marjorie later divorced.

Jim then married his second wife, Carmen Eastepp of Jerome.  Carmen had a young daughter at the time. They continued living in Muldoon and Jerome but were later divorced.

Jim worked briefly for the Soil Conservation Service in the Magic Valley area.  He also drove trucks for Wonderbread between Twin Falls and Utah for a couple of years.

Jim served on the Jerome County Fair Board, and managed an all-girl mounted drill team. The drill team was initially co-ed, but the boys wouldn’t work as hard as the girls and had to quit!

In 1966 Jim went to work for the USDA Forest Service, mostly working in fire and timber.  He was stationed at Shake Creek on the Boise River for over 12 years before transferring to Twin Falls.  In Twin Falls, Jim spent many years in the southern divisions of Sawtooth National Forest. One of his favorite duties was giving presentations to the various elementary schools in the area.  He formally retired from the Forest Service in 1987, but continued to assist for several years with summer fire work.

While with the Forest Service Jim groomed the South Hills snowmobile trails for several years. It was while working on the winter trails that Jim was introduced to Betty Jean Anderson Jesser through her brother Dan.

Jim and Betty were married in Rupert, Idaho at the Methodist Church on May 30, 1986.  Jim's life was immeasureably enriched with the addition of Betty's four boys to the family. As a couple Jim and Betty volunteered for the Forest Service as Camp Hosts in the South Hills. Jim also volunteered for many years at the Buzz Langdon Visitors Center in Twin Falls.

Jim loved life.  He always said he had no regrets for the life he lived, only for the things he didn't do.  He was active in many community and conservation organizations and enjoyed a variety of hobbies throughout his life. He flew small planes for several years, and, following retirement, he and Betty spent a great deal of time traveling the country.  One of their many, more memorable trips was visiting their son Tom in Alaska.  There they served for several months in the Civil Air Patrol, volunteering in the 1989 Iditarod Sled Dog Race as well as with the cleanup of the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill.  Jim and Betty took may other trips, traveling around the west and mid-west, in a motor home and 5th wheel.

Jim loved life so much that his many hobbies often became his passions.  Those who knew him knew of his immense library of books about his many diverse interests.  His areas of special expertise  have included poetry (both reading and reciting it), vegetable gardening (he loved his garden!), photography (there was always a camera within arms' length), and the out-of-doors.  Jim picked up the “sport” of geocaching in more recent years.  He visited over 500 geocache sites around the west and mid-west!  He also served for many years as an untiring field volunteer.  He would count birds for the Prairie Falcon Chapter of the National Audubon Society, or butterflies for the North American Butterfly Association, among other activities.

You didn't have to know Jim long to know about his passion for the management of Idaho’s public lands and wildlife. He has copious books on the various subjects.  Over the years Jim has written hundreds of Letters to the Editor and to various political leaders in support of responsible management of our public lands.  He has been outspoken in drawing agency and public attention to poor livestock grazing management on BLM and Forest Service lands in Idaho.

But in spite of his intense passion for the lands of Idaho, his real life's love was his wife Betty.  Jim lost his beloved wife Betty in September 2016, following 30 plus years of marriage.

Jim was also preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Guy B. and Etta Himes Prunty, an infant brother born to Guy and Etta, his biological mother Emma Hoy, a biological half-sister Judy, and both former wives.

Jim is survived by his son Tom Prunty (Vicki), of Chugiak, Alaska; four step-sons: Don Jesser (Anita) of Twin Falls, Idaho, Ron Jesser (Gurney and Scott) of Bend, Oregon, Tom Jesser (Cindy) of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Lonnie Jesser (Cynthia) Jesser of Meridian, Idaho; stepdaughter Sheena Scholes (Rich) of Twin Falls, Idaho; and numerous step- grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Throughout his amazing life, Jim has met many incredible people and made many many dear friends.  He has made a huge mark on the world and will be dearly missed by all of his family, friends, and numerous acquaintances!