Morris James Kintschi

M. JAMES KINTSCHI It is with joy in the promise of our Lord’s gracious gift of eternal life that we announce the passing of our Dad, Morris James (Jim) Kintschi, into the presence of the Lord. He died at the age of 90 on February 17, 2021, in Spokane Valley, WA. Dad was born on July 19, 1930, in Cheney, WA. He was the fourth child born to Morris and Anna (Tanner) Kintschi. He joined his 3 older sisters - Irene, Bernice, and Marie. The family was completed with the later births of two more sisters, Shirley and Deanna. He loved being the only brother to his five sisters, and they loved him! Dad was raised on the family farm between Sprague and Edwall, Washington. The land was purchased from the United States Government by dad’s grandfather in the spring of 1883. As a child and teenager, he learned about the hard work required to be a successful wheat farmer and cattle rancher, which was his goal and destiny. Dad attended schools in Edwall from first grade through high school. As a youngster, he met our mom Betty Kuhn, on her first day of school, when she was picked up by the same school bus. She and Dad were childhood and high school sweethearts. Dad enjoyed playing basketball in high school. The highlight was winning a championship game against the friendly rival team, Reardan, at one local Christmas Tournament. Dad talked about graduating as valedictorian of his class in high school. Then he would add the fact that the class had only 2 students. After Dad’s high school graduation in 1948, he attended WSU for one semester, and then joined the Air Force during the Korean War. After Mom graduated from high school in 1951 and completed one semester at Gonzaga University, she and Dad were married in March 1952. Dad was stationed in Savannah, Georgia at the time, so he and mom spent their honeymoon traveling by car from Washington to Georgia. Dad was a top gunner on a B-29 during the Korean War. He stayed in touch with his crew members throughout their lives. After the war, Dad and Mom moved back to the family farm. Since Mom’s family’s land was next to Dad’s family’s land, the two farms were eventually joined and farmed together. Mom and Dad began their family with the birth of their daughter, Debbie, followed by sons, Kevin and Tim. Dad did become a very busy wheat farmer and cattle rancher. His days were filled with various tasks including planting and harvesting the wheat crop, putting up large amounts of hay for the cattle, and feeding the cattle twice a day during the winter, along with the bookkeeping and various repairs of fences and machinery. He had 300 head of registered Polled Hereford cattle. Mom and Dad enjoyed showing their cattle in exhibitions and competitions throughout the western states. There were visits to the ranch by other cattlemen from several locations in the United States, as well as from England, South Africa, and Japan. One highlight was selling some cattle to a rancher from Japan. Dad watched as his cattle were loaded into the cargo hold of an airplane to fly to their new home across the Pacific Ocean. Dad was actively involved in his local and regional wheat and cattle organizations, the Lutheran churches in Reardan and Sprague, the Edwall, Reardan, and Christian Heritage schools, and several community organizations. He served on boards, committees, councils, and as a leader in many groups. It was not unusual for Dad to work all day, come home for one of Mom’s great meals, and head out to a meeting in the community until the later evening hours. After retirement, Dad and Mom moved to the Cheney area. However, a farmer/rancher never really retires. He would make almost daily trips to the ranch, until well into his 80’s, to make sure all was okay. Dad never met a stranger. Strangers were friends he was meeting for the first time. He was a real people person. When Mom and Dad would travel after retirement, he would always find a local coffee shop in the vacation town. In the early morning, while Mom was getting ready for the day, he would go to the coffee shop to visit with the locals. During a trip to Switzerland and Germany with Debbie and Tim in 2015, he stayed at a trailhead while Debbie and Tim hiked to a nearby castle. Even with the language barrier, he spent the couple of hours “visiting” with the locals and other tourists. He was always making new friends, sometimes just with a friendly smile. Dad had a big heart that was sensitive to those in need. He was always willing to help however needed with physical work, financial assistance, and emotional support. He was generous in sharing his gifts and talents. When Mom passed in March 2014, after 62 years of marriage, Dad remained in the Cheney home. He enjoyed meeting friends daily in Cheney for coffee, enjoyed his church family at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sprague, and enjoyed activities with his family. About 3 years ago, Dad needed more help due to health changes. He moved to an adult family home in Spokane Valley where he received individualized loving care and enjoyed the caregivers and the other residents. He also enjoyed outings with friends and family. Dad is reunited with Mom in heaven, who he missed so much! Others gone before are his parents, sister and brother-in-law Irene and Bob Snow, sister Marie Sinclair, brothers-in-law Del Cox and Ed Kuhn, and brother-and sister-in-law Warren and Virginia Lagers. Missing him here on earth are daughter Debbie Freeman (Allen), son Kevin Kintschi (Jacqui), and son Tim Kintschi. Grandchildren are Jared Freeman (Kim Jansen), Krista Castilla (Nick), Samuel Kintschi (Kristen), Hannah Shannon (Willard), Rachel Riggle (Zachariah), Rebekah Murray (James), and Sarah Kintschi. He has 16 great-grandchildren. Other family include brother-in-law Sandy Sinclair, sister Bernice Cox, sisters, and brothers-in-law Shirley and John McRae and Deanna and Alvin Frostad, and sister-in-law Lavone Watson. He will also be missed by his extended family and so many friends! One of Dad’s prayerful desires was for all his friends and family to have a personal relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Recently, Dad was reflecting on his life. He knew that Jesus has been with him all along his life’s path with blessings, guidance, and abundant grace. The Funeral service will be on Friday, February 26th at 1:00 pm at Cheney Funeral Chapel, 1632 West First Street, Cheney WA. Burial will follow at Sassin Cemetery in Edwall, WA. Memorial donations can be sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 218 W 3rd St. Sprague, WA. 99032 or Christian Heritage School, 48009 Ida Ave E. Edwall, WA 99008.

Morris James Kintschi

July 19, 1930 - February 17, 2021