Clair James Bellamy Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Obituary

Clair James Bellamy

Clair James Bellamy, age 77, of Coeur d'Alene died May 30, 2008 at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Jim was born September 24, 1930 in Wallace, Idaho to Whitey and Vina (Hill) Bellamy, the second of three children. He attended schools in Wallace, graduating from Wallace High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Idaho but health issues made this first year of college challenging and upon returning to Wallace the decision was made to take a break from school and work at the Sunshine Mine. It was during this time when he met and fell in love with his future wife, Jean Jaeger, introduced by mutual friends in Kellogg. Jim joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and upon completion of basic training he returned to North Idaho with just enough time to marry Jean and take her back East with him to begin their lives as a military couple. It wasn't long before Jim was picked for special Air Force training in Chinese translation at Yale University, and upon completion of the program he was off to active duty in Korea while Jean returned to Kellogg and waited for his return. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force he returned to the Northwest to finish his studies at the University of Idaho, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the School of Architecture in 1958. His first job was at an architectural firm in Boise, Idaho and it was there the couple's dreams of beginning a family came true with the arrival of daughter Sue in 1959. His next job took the family to Spokane, WA where their joy doubled with the addition of son David in 1961. Working for someone else, however, was never Jim's dream so he moved the family to Coeur d'Alene where he opened his own office in 1964. Over the years his business thrived and the architect became his own client when he remodeled an old house at 7th and Front into his landmark office. Over the years Jim spent time as president of the American Institute of Architects, Spokane and Coeur d'Alene region, and also served on the Idaho State Architecture licensing board. Design highlights include the Performing Arts Center at the University of Idaho, the Coeur d'Alene City Hall Building, and numerous schools and educational buildings throughout the state of Idaho. Jim and Jean loved to explore the back roads of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Jim's knowledge of this area's history was extensive. He was an avid book reader and collector who was especially fond of old history books and maps. His love for learning never stopped, in fact the book he was reading before passing away was "A History of the Canadian West 1870 to 71". He also enjoyed working around his home, building rock walls and a fountain in his backyard. Jim is survived by his wife, Jean at the home; a daughter, Sue Bellamy and husband Rick King of Butte, MT; a son, David Bellamy and wife, Lauri of Medford, OR; a brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Linda Bellamy of Aurora, CO; a sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Rob Wade of Huntsville, AL; 6 grandchildren; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association, 270 S. Orchard, Suite B, Boise, ID 83705. The family would also like to say a special "thanks" to the nurses at the Coronary Care Unit at Kootenai Medical Center for their special one-on-one care provided at the time of Jim's passing. Jim will be greatly missed not only by his family but also by his friends and those whose lives he touched. Visitation will be Monday evening, June 2, 2008 from 5-7 P.M. at the Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. The funeral mass will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery.
September 24, 1930 - May 30, 200809/24/193005/30/2008
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Obituary

Clair James Bellamy, age 77, of Coeur d'Alene died May 30, 2008 at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Jim was born September 24, 1930 in Wallace, Idaho to Whitey and Vina (Hill) Bellamy, the second of three children. He attended schools in Wallace, graduating from Wallace High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Idaho but health issues made this first year of college challenging and upon returning to Wallace the decision was made to take a break from school and work at the Sunshine Mine. It was during this time when he met and fell in love with his future wife, Jean Jaeger, introduced by mutual friends in Kellogg. Jim joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and upon completion of basic training he returned to North Idaho with just enough time to marry Jean and take her back East with him to begin their lives as a military couple. It wasn't long before Jim was picked for special Air Force training in Chinese translation at Yale University, and upon completion of the program he was off to active duty in Korea while Jean returned to Kellogg and waited for his return. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force he returned to the Northwest to finish his studies at the University of Idaho, graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the School of Architecture in 1958. His first job was at an architectural firm in Boise, Idaho and it was there the couple's dreams of beginning a family came true with the arrival of daughter Sue in 1959. His next job took the family to Spokane, WA where their joy doubled with the addition of son David in 1961. Working for someone else, however, was never Jim's dream so he moved the family to Coeur d'Alene where he opened his own office in 1964. Over the years his business thrived and the architect became his own client when he remodeled an old house at 7th and Front into his landmark office. Over the years Jim spent time as president of the American Institute of Architects, Spokane and Coeur d'Alene region, and also served on the Idaho State Architecture licensing board. Design highlights include the Performing Arts Center at the University of Idaho, the Coeur d'Alene City Hall Building, and numerous schools and educational buildings throughout the state of Idaho. Jim and Jean loved to explore the back roads of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Jim's knowledge of this area's history was extensive. He was an avid book reader and collector who was especially fond of old history books and maps. His love for learning never stopped, in fact the book he was reading before passing away was "A History of the Canadian West 1870 to 71". He also enjoyed working around his home, building rock walls and a fountain in his backyard. Jim is survived by his wife, Jean at the home; a daughter, Sue Bellamy and husband Rick King of Butte, MT; a son, David Bellamy and wife, Lauri of Medford, OR; a brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Linda Bellamy of Aurora, CO; a sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Rob Wade of Huntsville, AL; 6 grandchildren; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association, 270 S. Orchard, Suite B, Boise, ID 83705. The family would also like to say a special "thanks" to the nurses at the Coronary Care Unit at Kootenai Medical Center for their special one-on-one care provided at the time of Jim's passing. Jim will be greatly missed not only by his family but also by his friends and those whose lives he touched. Visitation will be Monday evening, June 2, 2008 from 5-7 P.M. at the Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. The funeral mass will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery.

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Events

Jun
02
Service
Monday, June 02 2008
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Yates Funeral Homes & Cremation - Coeur d'Alene Chapel
744 N 4th Street
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
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Jun
03
Service
Tuesday, June 03 2008
10:00 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
919 Indiana Avenue
Coeur d Alene, ID 83814
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