Obituary: Hitter, James R.
Age 83
Jim began an exceptional life on April 27, 1931 in Monticello, Minnesota.
Growing up in the cold climate gave Jim a love for winter sports that he enjoyed his entire life.
Elmer Edward and Mable Lannon Hitter provided a good home with lots of love for Jim, older brother Terry and sister, Joanne during the challenging times of the depression and through WWII.
Jim enjoyed his rural upbringing and especially his grandfather’s farm.
He made friends easily, was an exceptional athlete and a good student.
Jim graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1949 where he played varsity football, basketball, baseball and track.
He really enjoyed the contact of football and used his gift of speed to go on and play half back for North Dakota Agriculture College (now NDSU).
Jim combined his college teaching degree with an ROTC commitment to join the US Air Force as an officer in 1954.
Flying jets during the post Korean War era, Jim was responsible for flying a Bomber armed with nuclear weapons during some very tense times in US military history.
After leaving active military duty, Jim remained a dedicated member of the Air National Guard, ultimately attaining the rank of Lt.
Colonel and retiring in 1991 with nearly 37 years of service.
Jim and Janiece Sitz were married in 1958 and brought two beautiful children, Kimala and Tony into their lives.
Jim’s professional teaching and coaching career began in earnest in Goldendale, Washington where he had stopped to have a flat tire repaired.
Hearing that the high school football coach had left, he interviewed and landed the job.
Jim was the quintessential coach and his athletes had great success in many sports.
This success led to new opportunities in 1966 where he took on coaching and teaching roles in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Jim eventually earned his Ph.D. and turned his passion for kids toward the administrative side of public education.
From Principal and then Superintendent in Milton Freewater, Oregon to Superintendent roles at Grand Coulee and Colville, Washington, Jim was well liked by his peers, staff and students.
Jim married Charlotte Johnson Gaines in 1981 and was instantly adored by her three children Cammy, Marc and Cheriene.
Jim and Char maintained a second home in Coeur d’Alene until he retired from public education in 1996 and started his “retirement career” as a Real Estate agent for Century 21.
While Jim led an exceptional life professionally, it was his personal life that provided so much meaning for so many people.
Jim was everybody’s friend.
From his church membership (he was an active member of the Hayden Friends Church) to civic roles with Kiwanis to the volunteer work he did with the VA Hospital, Jim was simply a friend to all.
His role as grandfather/great-grandfather was his most cherished.
He was never too busy to make a ball game, a play or a recital.
He would always put the grandchildren first.
He was simply there.
Always.
And that is why we love him and will miss him so much.
Jim Hitter was an exceptional person who led an extraordinary life.
Jim is survived by wife Charlotte Hitter; children Kimala Coleman, Cammy Lawrence, Cheriene Dinoia, Tony Hitter and Marc Gaines; sister and brother-in-law Joanne (Hitter) and Gene Brietbach; former wife Janeice Hitter; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 11th at 10 am at ENGLISH FUNERAL CHAPEL, POST FALLS.