Jim Roger Kittle

Jim Roger Kittle passed away of pulmonary fibrosis at his home in Polson, Montana, on February 12, 2015.
Born on October 11, 1946, in Celina, Ohio, he was the second child of Royce and Ruth Kittle and grew up in both Ohio and Texas. He started school at John Brown University but left and enlisted in the army in 1967 to be a helicopter pilot. That was also short-lived, as he broke his knee in basic training and then was assigned to be the hospital messenger, a faux pas that resulted in his becoming a disabled veteran. After leaving the army he taught school in the Mendon-Union School District near Celina and found his true loves--school teaching and his wife, Linda Barger, whom he married in 1969. He never forgot his sixth grade students and to the end told fond stories of them.
Over the next 45 years he endured dozens of surgeries and worked as a petroleum chemist, telephone lineman, and telephone company manager before enrolling in the University of Montana, earning his teaching credential and becoming a rabid Grizzlies fan. In 1994 he joined the staff of Hillcrest High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, imbuing his journalism and advanced placement writing classes with government, logic, skepticism, and a relentless drive for perfection. He did not tolerate foolishness and named himself the Caviling Curmudgeon, but those who could see beyond the crust found a smart, funny, and kind person who passionately cared for his students and their welfare. A number of them kept in touch to the very last week of his life.
He was a champion trap shooter, a sport he enjoyed with his son Jess in Washington and Montana, and bemoaned his inability to "get out and shoot," do more woodworking, run his tractor around his property, or visit the historical sites of Montana. He died with innumerable unfinished projects and unsaid goodbyes to many who will cherish his memory and miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his father and brother John. Survivors include his mother Ruth, Conway AR; wife Linda, Polson, son Jess (Rene), Polson, and grandsons Brandon and Spencer, of Missoula and Polson; sisters Judy (Larry) Johnson, Spokane, Paula Kittle, Conway, and Betsy (Donnie) Kankel, Bulverde TX; brothers Michael (Lynda), West Plains, MO, and Dana (Kim), Colleyville, TX; brother-in-laws Rich, Bill (Tana), and Jerry (Tammy) Barger; honorary mother and sister Eileen Deeter and Daleen (Steve) Keithley; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles; and an uncountable number of students whom he called his kids, loved beyond words, and never forgot.
He was grateful for the loving support of his family, Home Options Hospice Care, the members of Mountain Peaks Bible Church, his therapists and fellow exercisers at St. Joseph Hospital pulmonary rehab, the VA, and many supportive friends, who all made this hard journey much easier.
A memorial service is being held at 3:00 pm, February 18, 2015, at Polson Community Church, 1814 1st St. E., Polson. Friends are encouraged to make a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or to their favorite charity.


Read Jim Kittle's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.