J C "Jeb" Best

J.C. “Jeb” Best, 88, died quietly on Sunday, September 18, 2011. He was born in Missoula, Montana on September 4, 1923 to Elwood and Edna (Cramer) Best. As his father was a disabled WWI marine vet, Jeb’s early years were spent in various forest locations in his father’s homesteading ventures, including up the Umpquah River in Oregon. En route to Montana in search of land, the Elwood Best family unexpectedly ran into a relative, who providentially directed them to the lakefront property at Trestle Creek, on which they settled in June, 1934. Jeb graduated from Hope High School in 1942, and was inducted into the U.S. Army that same year. In WWII he fought in D-Day on Omaha Beach, Normandy; Northern France; Ardennes; Rhineland; and Central Europe as an MP and as part of CO D 405th INF REG. He married the love and complement of his life, Anna Margaret Nohel, on June 23, 1946. He attended automotive body and fender and some engineering classes at Farragut on his GI bill. Afterwards, he and Margaret lived in Sandpoint, Missoula, and Bonners Ferry, where he plied his body and fender trade. In 1955 Jeb and Margaret purchased the Trestle Creek property from his widowed mother and began building what became lovingly known as Jeb & Margaret’s Trailer Haven. The resort business was spawned from his father’s rudimentary idea of a fishing camp, which later would birth Jeb and Margaret’s dream of sharing the peace and beauty of their beloved North Idaho landscape with the average retiree. Jeb & Margaret’s was enjoyed by hundreds of patrons, as extended “family,” who would return year after year (there was always a waiting list for any vacant space). While building the 125-space resort and marinas, Jeb also worked as an auto body repairman for Cady & Pier Ford in Sandpoint from 1955 to 1964. Jeb faithfully and tenderly loved Margaret, his wife of 54 years. After Margaret’s unexpected death in October, 2000, he married Josephine Fay, a long-time Trailer Haven resident, in June, 2001. Jo preceded him in death in November, 2010. He was also predeceased by a son, Roger, in November, 2008. A determined, responsible, frugal, hard-working, private, courteous, uncomplaining man, who commanded respect, Jeb had a wry sense of humor and a tender, kind heart. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hiking, fishing, and hunting (especially elk and deer). He also enjoyed dancing and pinochle, and he patriotically embraced the freedom and other principles of our traditional constitutional republic. In his latter years, while wrestling with the evil and injustice he saw in this world, Jeb readily acknowledged his need for a Savior to take the penalty and burden of his own personal sins. He was introduced to the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ as his Sin-Bearer. Jeb is survived by two children, Terry Best of Leesburg, Indiana, and Sheryl Kins of Sandpoint; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a brother, Don Best, of Sagle; a sister, Gerry Smith of Post Falls; and a close cousin, Anadel Weisz, of Sagle. A private family memorial is being planned. This will be followed by a public memorial service, probably in June, when Trailer Haven residents may attend.