Jim passed away Thursday, July 5, 2018, from liver cancer. He was 82.

He was born May 21, 1936, in Lewistown, Mont., to Ray and Jane Ellen (Hiatt) Schwab. In the early 1950s Jim moved to Lewiston with his family. He married Patricia Stocking in 1956. They had two children together, Debbie (Schwab) Rhodes and Jerry Schwab. Jim and Pat divorced. He later married Zelma Tobeck. This marriage also ended in divorce.

Jim learned machining during his younger working years. He moved backed to Lewiston in the early 1980s, and in 1984, with brothers Gene and Art, he started Schwab’s Screw Machine Products Inc., located in Lapwai.

Jim enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, hunting and fishing. With his love of bowling, he ventured with his brother, Gene, and purchased Lancer Lanes, which they owned for several years before selling to the current owners. Jim had always dreamed of owning his own machine shop and bowling alley. He fulfilled both of those dreams. We have to say that he got his greatest pleasure from fishing. It didn’t matter if he caught fish or not. It was just being at the lake or river’s edge or out in the boat with one of his good fishing buddies that made him happy. He loved putting on fish fries and inviting all his bowling and fishing buddies and family to join in. Sometimes somebody he just met would get invited, too. It made him happy to have everyone get together.

Jim’s parents preceded him in death. His brothers, Stanley, David and Gene, also preceded him, along with two nieces, Shannon and Melissa. He is survived by two brothers, Douglas “Art” and Teresa Schwab of Culdesac, and Larry and Marsha Schwab of Lewiston; daughter Debbie and Lee Rhodes of Portland, Ore.; his son, Jerry Schwab of Lapwai; granddaughters Jessica Schwab and ShayLee Rhodes Miller of Portland; grandson Shelby Schwab of Lapwai; two great-grandchildren, Kinsley Carlisle and Krystian Miller; and many nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his longtime companion, Dianney “Nam” Huffaker.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.

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