Obituary of James Albert Haskin

A skilled craftsman, loving husband and devoted father, James A. ‘Jim’ Haskin passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018 near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  Jim was born April 19, 1934 in Emmett, Idaho, the 9th child of James and Opal Haskin.  At the onset of the Korean Conflict, he left school to enlist in the Navy, where he served honorably for 4 years.  After his discharge he moved to Oregon and married Martina Troyer, with whom he had 4 children.  After their divorce he moved to California, where he met and married Audrey Lee Lundquist, and another 3 children were born.

He and Audrey moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in 1965, where Jim went to work at the Potlatch Mill.  He also opened Haskin Cabinets, where he honed his craft into a successful business.  After their divorce, he moved to Boise, Idaho, where he met and married Donna Ross, welcoming her 2 children into the family.  He went to work in the maintenance department for the Meridian School District. After retiring from there in 1995 he continued to create woodworking masterpieces, including toys for his grandchildren. He was also an avid gardener, and shared his produce with neighbors and local food banks. He and Donna moved back to Coeur d’Alene in April of this year to be near 3 of his children.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years, Donna and his 7 children, Glenda O’Connor, Mark (Kimberly) Fox, Sherry (Steve) Cisna and Terry (Kevin) Hayes-Sanders, all of Oregon and Craig (Tina) Haskin, Denise (John) Austin and Chris Haskin of Idaho. He is also survived by his stepchildren Leann (Brent) Dowd of Colorado and Richard (Debbie) Ross of Oregon and his 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildern. 

The family will hold a memorial service for Jim in Emmett, Idaho at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Meridian United Methodist Church.