James Edward Paulson, 95

James Edward Paulson, 95

BUHL, Idaho — James Edward Paulson, 75, died peacefully on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Desert View Care Center in Buhl.

He was born June 4, 1937 in Del Norte, Colo., the middle son of Oscar and Arabelle Paulson.

Jim spent his childhood working on the ranch, bucking 100-pound potato sacks, stacking hay, and riding the trail to take cows to the range. His mom raised chickens to sell the eggs and they milked a few cows to separate and sell cream, since times were tough during the depression years. He remembered his mom driving to the top of the hill, turning off the car, and coasting down to save gas.

He loved sports and played them all. He often told his grandkids about being a freshman, tackling the hero on the opposing team, and the coach making him captain for homecoming! He had to kiss the senior homecoming queen, even though he was extremely bashful.

Jim was always an early riser, which was instilled in him by his dad who often said, “When I say jump, you jump, and ask how high on the way up.”

He and Glennys Davis were married in 1955. They spent the first two years of married life in a two-room house, where they pumped water outside and had to walk a path to the privy. They farmed with family in Colorado, where all four of their children were born.

In 1973, they moved to Buhl, Idaho, making nine separate trips to haul all of their machinery and 50 head of cows with an old bob-tail truck and trailer. On the farm, their kids remember all of the rocks they had to pick and the tall, tall Idaho corn.

Jim loved watching all his kid’s ball games and 4-H shows. Their home basketball and volleyball courts were always busy with kids and friends. He farmed, sold real estate and managed his apartments. Jim’s legacy to his kids was to work hard, work together and live within your means. Many times he repeated his mom’s favorite saying. “Do the best you can and that will be bad enough.”

 Upon retiring he spent time at their cabin and bought a boat to go fishing. His favorite day would be to pick up Gene Mendini and drive to Strike Dam, where Don Davis would be waiting, then catch perch all day.

“God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day. And when it comes to my last cast, I then humbly pray, When in my Lord’s great landing net and I’m Peacefully asleep that in His mercy I be judged; Big enough to keep.”

Jim's pastime was carving log bears and working with wood. He made a log swing for each of his kids and grandchildren, and made the two-seated benches for the Red Fish Lake Lodge in Stanley, Idaho.

His parents and younger brother, Hank, preceded him in death.

Surviving Jim are his wife, Glennys; one brother, Ronnie: his children and best friends, Gail (Charlene) Paulson, Gary (Roxanne) Paulson, Greg (Shawna) Paulson and Jayme (Jamie) Shouse. Eight grandchildren called him "grandpa," Mathew (Kristina) Paulson with great-granddaughter Arabelle, Rodney (Chelsy) Paulson, Christopher Paulson, Rachele (Will) Bossert, Cory (Kenji) Paulson, Tara (Dade) Pettinger, Darby Shouse and Taylor Paulson

A private family service will be held at a later date. The family would like to make a contribution in Jim’s name to the Ronald McDonald House in Boise if you would like to share. Memorial contributions can be mailed.