Frank J. Findlay Jr.

Frank Findlay Jr., 94, went to our Lord on January 22, 2014. He passed away peacefully at his home in Cocolalla, Idaho. Frank was born in Stella, Nebraska on September 4, 1919 to Frank and Edith Findlay Sr. The Findlay’s lived in Nebraska and Minnesota until 1935 when the severe drought that plagued America during the mid 30’s forced them off their farm and out West, like so many others. “Mom had $56 in her pocket book when we left” he would tell his children. The family took whatever jobs they could find on the cross country road trip. Cutting clover fields in one town, picking cucumbers in another, sleeping by their car along the way—they were glad when they were hired on for harvest season at an apple orchard in Spokane Valley. It afforded them a small apartment just in time for winter. These hard years taught young Frank the value of faith, family and hard work. It also instilled an appreciation for our Nation, where even a displaced farm boy could rise to whatever height he chose to work toward. By 1940, Frank and his brother Murray had steady work excavating basements for house builders in Spokane’s South Hill. Before long the brothers had their own contracting business and went on to build more than 100 affordable homes and a 13 unit apartment building in that same city. Also in 1940, Frank met the love of his life, Marjorie Vera Jones. The pair were married on June 29, 1941 in the bride’s home town of Billings, Montana. Frank and Marjorie soon began to build their family along with the houses. Frank never forgot his rural roots or his love of farming. So in 1951 he bought a 640 acre farm and moved his “city gal” and three kids to Bonner County, Idaho. In later years when asked where she was from, Marjorie would smile and say, “Well, I grew up on a farm in Idaho.” In 1955, the dynamic duo began a new adventure named Findlay Lumbar Co.—a stud mill that provided many jobs and commerce for local loggers. They sold the mill in 1971 but Frank continued to haul logs to other local mills in his trusty truck “Big Red”. During this time they still managed the apartment building Frank had built in Spokane and an apple orchard they owned in Wenatchee, while maintaining a small farm in Cocolalla. In 1983 Frank was honored to serve in Idaho’s State Legislature, as our District Representative. Frank and Marjorie kept a small herd of cattle in their retirement and he continued to make his own hay until 2012. Frank’s proudest achievement was his family. “We have three beautiful children, ten beautiful grandchildren and…how many great-grandchildren are we up to now?” he would joke. He was as enthralled with his great-great-grandchildren as all who had come before. Even though his strong hands never knew and idle day, he always had time to share a cookie and a story with his family. Through all of this, he had his loving, constant help-mate by his side, until January 22, 2010. After 68 years of marriage, his beloved Marjorie went to the Lord without him. Now, four years to the day, he finally got to follow. His last thoughts were for his family, “The Lord is with us. Tell them the Lord is with us.” Frank was blessed with a long, meaningful life and he blessed his family by living it well. Frank is survived by his sister Mary(Bill)Ward; three children: Stan(Joyce)Findlay, Donna(Karl)Spade, and Francine(Corky)Booth; ten grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and his faithful dog Shea. He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie; three brothers: Glenn, Murray and Burl; and great-grandson Richard Johnson. Frank’s family would like to thank Dr. Dunn and Bonner Community Hospice for all of their help. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bonner Community Hospice, 520 N. Third Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83860. Family and Friends are welcome to attend a viewing at Coffelt Funeral Home, January 31, from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., and sign Frank’s online guest book at www.coffelt.com Pastor Kerry Lee Findlay will be officiating a private family interment at Fairmont Cemetery in Spokane, Washington.