James Lee Cloaninger passed from this life, in Colfax, WA, on May 8, 2017. He was 88 years old. A memorial service will be celebrated on June 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Colfax, WA, with a lunch reception following. A private interment will follow the reception at the Colfax Cemetery.

Jim was born November 17, 1928 in Colfax, WA to Arthur and Florence (Codd) Cloaninger. He was the fifth of six children and the only boy.

Jim was raised on the family farm on Green Hollow road and attended a one room school house (Golding) located up the road from the farm, later he attended Colfax Grade School and graduated from Colfax High School in 1946. Following high school, he attended Eastern Washington College for one year where he played on the football team. In 1951 Jim entered the US Army to fight in the Korean War. After completing basic training, he came home on leave to marry his sweetheart, Phyllis Mae Morton, on October 10, 1951. He deployed to Korea immediately thereafter serving in the 724th Ordinance Company, 24th Infantry Division. After 17 months in Korea and Japan, in 1953, he returned to Colfax to start life with Phyllis and farm. They lived on Cooper Street in Colfax until 1956 when they and Jim's parent's switched residences and Jim assumed full operation of the farm. Jim and Phyllis enjoyed farming and country life.

Jim and Phyllis were married 57 ½ years. They enjoyed visiting with friends, family & neighbors. They were members of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Elks Club, enjoyed their card group, and fishing at the William's Lake. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman and had several Brittany bird dogs.

Jim and Phyllis have four children: Craig (Leslie) Cloaninger; Jo Ann (Al) Powell; Karen (Lyle) Bonny; and Dick (Lana) Cloaninger and 10 grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis (2008), 4 older sisters: Marie (Norman) Perkins; Edna Rose Cloaninger; Marjorie (Raymond) Pogue; and Ruth (Joseph) Wagner. His younger sisters Florence (Emory) Sherfey lives in Kennewick, WA.

The family suggests memorials be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Bruning Funeral home of Colfax, WA is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made to bruningfuneralhome.com.