James R. Eidemiller

James R. “Jim” Eidemiller, CPO, USN Ret., 79, longtime Cle Elum resident, passed away at his home on Thursday, July 6, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on February 13, 1944 in Nampa, Idaho to James R. Eidemiller Sr. and Ruth M. Eidemiller and was raised on the family farm outside of Homedale, Idaho.  He graduated from Homedale High School in 1963 and entered the U.S. Navy where he was deployed to Vietnam five times on aircraft carriers and a troop transport.  Following his Vietnam assignments, Jim finished sea duty assignments on one destroyer and one cruiser.

After 24 years of service, Jim retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer and, immediately after retirement, joined the Cle Elum Police Department providing policing services to citizens of Cle Elum as well as Roslyn and South Cle Elum for the next 16 years.  Jim was a member of the Cle Elum Volunteer Fire Department retiring from that department with 25 years of service.

He was a past Master of the Cle Elum Masonic Lodge, a lifetime member of Masada Shrine and Past Commander of the Douglas A. Munro-Robert H. Brooks VFW Post #1373 in Cle Elum. In 2004 he was honored to be elected to the Cle Elum City Council, continuing to dedicate his life to the welfare of the community for the next 12 years.

In August of 1986 Jim married Patricia Slettevold who was the love of his life.  Between them they have six adult children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife Patricia of Cle Elum; daughter Barb (Randy) Bailey and family of Cle Elum, Washington; son Ted (Esther) Eidemiller and family of Nampa, Idaho; son Jeff (Kim) Eidemiller and family of Homedale, Idaho; Ann (Mark) Roach and family of Puyallup, Washington ; son Michael (Christine) Eidemiller of Tacoma, Washington; daughter Dawn (Alan) Martin and family of Huntingdon, Tennessee.

Memorial contributions in Jim’s honor are suggested to the Cle Elum Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m . – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14 at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg.  A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at Laurel Hill Memorial Park with a reception and time to share memories to follow at the Swauk Teanaway Grange.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com