John Edward Bews, Sr

John Edward Bews, Sr, passed away in Spokane, Washington on Friday, December 13, 2013 Private family services will be held at a later date. John was born on December 27, 1945 in Newport, WA the son of Andrew and Estella Bews. He grew up in Coolin, Idaho; graduating from Priest River High School in 1964. He served with the US Army, in France, during the Vietnam conflict. On August 31, 1992 he married Penny Kumbalek in Reno, Nevada. While in school in Coolin he started working as a handyman, buying his first car when he was 12 years old. In North Idaho he had run his own logging operation, also selling firewood. He was a heavy equipment mechanic for the uranium mines in Wyoming. He moved to Grand Junction, Colorado; building contract housing and then worked in the project doing maintenance and repair. He returned to Priest River, Idaho building his own home and helping friends build and maintain their homes. John was an avid outdoorsman, he loved going into the woods to cut firewood. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and putting food on the family table. He is survived by his wife Penny Bews of Priest River, ID; his children Jill (and Coby) Wade in Kenai, Alaska; John Bews, Jr in Sandpoint, Idaho; Brian (and Heather) Bews in Denver, CO; Dena Darrow in Coeur d’Alene, ID; Bryan Kumbalek in Spokane, WA; 4 grandchildren Ashley Bews, Chance Allen, Arya Bews, and Rebecca Bews; also surviving are 3 cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Andrew, 2 sisters June Pitts and Joan Hettinger. Memorials may be made to any organization helping the disabled Vets.