James Kent Hamby

BURLEY – Our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, James Kent “Jim” Hamby, 72, of Burley, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 30, 2013, after a courageous battle with ALS with the love of his life at his side.

Jim was the oldest of three children born to James Fred and Evelyn Rayda Winterrose Hamby in the home of his grandparents in Heber City, Utah, on Oct. 30,1940. His childhood was spent helping his grandfather in the Heber City Cemetery, hiking, and fishing in the river and creeks of the Heber Valley. He always felt that Heber was his home. At the age of 12, his family moved to Ogden, Utah, but he spent his summers in Heber. Two years later they moved to Clearfield, Utah, where he attended Davis High School. He played basketball, football, and ran track. After his junior year, he followed his lifelong dream and traveled to Montana to work on a ranch and train horses. He returned to Clearfield and graduated from Davis High School. He then attended Weber State College where he received his certificate as an electronic technician. He worked at Sperry Rand for 18 years before moving to Burley, Idaho, to become a "rich" farmer.

While working at Sperry Rand, he went on a blind date where he met Eliza Jane Lee and he was blind to any other woman. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the St George Utah LDS Temple on Sept. 17, 1960. They were blessed with six children, Kris Lee (Sandy) Hamby, Lisa (Lynn) Taylor, Teresa (John) Matthews, Cynthia (Blake) Larsen, Travis (Krista) Hamby, and Rebecca (David) Durda.

He dedicated his life to his family and supported them in all of their activities. Dad was an avid outdoorsman and taught us all to love nature.

Dad was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he was very dedicated to his callings.

During these last months as he valiantly fought Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Jim always said, “Every day is a blessing.” He truly taught us as a family to be consistently positive – no matter the circumstance, to be faithful, and endure to the end.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years; six children; 38 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; his brother, Wayne (Nilva) Hamby; and sister, Susan Jacobson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two grandsons, Kaden J Hamby and Bret D Adams.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the Pella LDS Church, 160 W. 400 S., of Burley, with Bishop Lyle Sager officiating. Burial will be in the Declo Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, June 3, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:40 a.m. Tuesday at the church.