James Patrick Bruya passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at the Courtyard Assisted Living Center, in Colfax, WA, on Thursday, November 21, 2024. He was 88.

Jim was born on February 27th, 1936 in Seattle, WA to Fred and Margaret (Gohs) Bruya; he had an older brother, Richard. The family relocated to Spokane, WA, where he attended Hutton Elementary School and was a member of the last graduating class of Gonzaga High School in 1954. He was offered a football scholarship to the University of Idaho, but was involved in a career-ending car accident before his freshman season started. He still became a proud Vandal and was an active member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

While in college, he was set up with Lynne Marie Davey on a blind date. They were married at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Spokane in 1959 and were blessed with five children.

Early in his career the family moved often for coaching and teaching jobs; first in Elk River, ID, New Plymouth, ID, Inchelium, WA, and eventually, for nine years in Kettle Falls, WA.

In 1974, the family settled in Colfax, Washington where they made their home for 50 years. Jim was the Vice Principal/Athletic Director at Colfax High School and later a math teacher and coach at Colfax Junior High. He left an indelible mark on many former students and players and always enjoyed visiting with them in his retirement years.

He had a passion for sports, whether it be playing, coaching, or spectating. He particularly enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through the years.

Jim enjoyed pheasant hunting with his dogs, shooting trap, bicycling, and golfing. He loved reading westerns and rereading Louis L'Amour books. He was a passionate fan of Gonzaga Basketball and his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jim will be fondly remembered for the legacy he left the game of cribbage. He enjoyed playing a variety of card games with friends, but relished teaching kids, grandkids and greats the math and strategy involved in cribbage.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne, at their home in Colfax; his children, Robyn (Mark) Johnson, Colfax, Tim (Carmen) Bruya, Colfax, Shannon (Gary) Shelley, Meridian, ID, Ted (Megan) Bruya, Odessa, WA, and Tom Bruya, Scottsdale, AZ.

Grandchildren: Angela (Jacob) Anderson, Ashley (Jonathan) Hansen, Amy (Adam) Simmons, Adam (Shalese) Bruya, Matthew (Tayler) Johnson, Alexia (J.C.) West, Marci (Gerit) Grove, Nathan (Kim) Johnson, Abby (Preston) Medlin, Casey (Marcial) Mattoon, Aaron (Annie) Bruya, Rachel (Nate) Zarowny, Amelie (Donnie) Golden, Chris Shelley, Zoe (Cade) Weber, and Josh Clark.

Great-Grandchildren: Connor, Jocelyn, Marcus, and Olivia Anderson; Grace, William, and James Hansen; Ruby, Vivian, and Porter Simmons; Bradley, Landon, and Jenna Bruya; Malec, Laken, Nels, and Navy Johnson; Walker and Sawyer West; Brooks Grove; Birdie and Cleo Johnson; Gigi Medlin; Charlie and Jones Zarowny; and Finley and Bassin Golden.

A rosary is scheduled for Monday, December 2nd at 10 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Colfax, with the funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 AM, and then a luncheon reception at the Colfax Golf Club. Memorials are suggested to Whitman Hospital Foundation, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, or a charity of donors' choice. Online guestbook is at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to thank all the caregivers, therapists, nurses, and physicians who assisted Jim in the final years of his life. We greatly appreciate all of you.