James "Jim" Bradford Ritter

James Ritter

     The time for the final harvest has come. James “Jim” Bradford Ritter, age 76 of Shoshone, ID, passed away at home with his family by his side on September 6, 2024. 

     Jim was born March 3, 1948 in Lusk, WY, the oldest of Walt and Jessie Ritter’s five children. He had a sister Sue, and brothers David, Steve and Charlie.

     When he was 5 years old, Jim’s family moved from Wyoming to homestead outside of Rupert, ID. There, Jim attended school and learned to work the land. In 1966, he moved to Shoshone when his parents bought a farm outside of town. Shortly thereafter, Jim’s life was changed forever when he met Linda Povalawski from Buhl. They were married in 1968 and had two children; a daughter, Lisa, in 1973, and a son, Jason, in 1978. 

     After getting married, Jim had several agricultural jobs across southern Idaho including at B&T Farms in Mountain Home, Feed Services in the Bruneau/Grand View area, and later for the Valley Co-Ops in Shoshone. Jim rented a farm in Richfield before buying the Shoshone farm from his mother in 1976. He would remain there the rest of his days. 

     Farming was Jim’s passion. Through determination and sheer stubbornness, he would coax life from the desert soil. He enjoyed teaching his wife and children how to grow crops, care for a herd of Charolais cattle, and all of the other lessons necessary on a family farm, if they wanted to learn them or not.

     Jim was also a skilled mechanic, equally adept at repairing farm equipment as overhauling a car engine. He was particularly good at welding, able to repair broken parts or create new pieces. Jim’s mechanic skills got a lot of practice over the years!

     While farming and helping family and neighbors alike left little free time, in the summer Jim enjoyed camping in the mountains. In the winter, Jim would pull his children on sleds behind his Ford pickup across the snow-covered fields, something he enjoyed as much as they did. Occasionally, he would take those he cared about into town for “a pop and candy,” just because.  

     Jim was a man of diverse interests. He equally enjoyed the outdoors and cowboy humor of Red Green, Patrick McManus, and Baxter Black, as much as he did watching Star Trek and science programs. Jim loved animals, especially his cow dogs, and the many cats that were always around. He like to learn about how things worked, and never missed it when the Union Pacific steam-powered train came through Shoshone. He had a secret passion for photography, and Jim would get excited taking pictures of deer and other wildlife. 

     Jim enjoyed the simple pleasures of having coffee with friends at the Shoshone Sale Yard or the Eagle’s Nest in Dietrich, the perfect places for him to share his dry sense of humor. In the twilight of his life, Jim spent his time connecting with family and friends. He enjoyed watching Denver and Boise State Broncos football, car races, and surprisingly, cooking shows. Jim, a sweet man, had a sweet tooth. 

     It was not an easy life, but Jim forever remained a devoted husband, father, and friend. Jim was a quiet and kind man who showed love through his actions. Jim Ritter will be missed, but not forgotten.

     The family would like to offer a special thanks to Jim’s extended family, friends, those that helped at the farm, and everyone else that made his life worth living. They would like to thank Connie, Layla and the rest of the staff at Hospice Visions, and all the other doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers for their care and kindness.  

James is survived by his wife Linda (Povalawski) Ritter; children Lisa Ritter (partner Jim Vaden) of Gooding, ID and Jason Ritter (wife Alecea Standlee) of Gettysburg, PA; sister Susan Johnson (husband Roger) of Gooding, ID; brothers David Ritter of Midvale, ID, Steven Ritter of Gooding, ID, and Charles Ritter of Shoshone, ID; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. James is preceded in death by his parents Walter Ritter and Jessie (Klint) Ritter; stepmother Gayla (Adams-Burgess) Ritter; and nephew Ken “Chuck” Ritter.

     A funeral service for James Ritter will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM in the First Baptist Church, 205 E 5th Street in Shoshone, ID.

    A graveside service will follow at the Shoshone Cemetery with a reception back at the First Baptist Church.

     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Demaray Funeral Service – Shoshone Chapel.

  In lieu of flowers, the family asks any donations be made

in Jim’s name to a local charity of your choice.

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