James "Jim" McNary Roberts passed away on August 2, 2026, at his home in Fernwood, Idaho.

Jim was born on April 12, 1948 to Helen and George Roberts. He grew up in Ohio, and later served in the Army and was stationed in San Diego, California.

Jim took great pride in his career and the path he worked hard to build for himself. He started as a general laborer with MacWhyte Wire Rope Company, a nationally recognized manufacturer of wire rope and cable. Through determination, hard work, and a willingness to keep moving forward, Jim worked his way into sales, eventually becoming a salesman in the San Francisco area and taking on management responsibilities for the company's operations in Seattle. After retiring from MacWhyte, Jim bought a grocery store in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and finally he found his way to Fernwood, where he made his home for the past 30 years.

Jim was a man of faith and read his Bible every day. He was also a simple man who was happy living life on his own terms. He made his home in Fernwood out of a converted Greyhound bus, turning it into a place that was uniquely his. Jim enjoyed working with his hands and spending time on his many interests. One of his favorite pastimes was building train sets in the little "man cave" beside his home. He also loved movies and had a collection of hundreds of them, giving him plenty of choices and hours of entertainment.

Over the years, Jim also enjoyed owning cars. In his younger years, he had an orange Corvette that he was particularly proud of and talked about quite often, he was also a longtime Harley-Davidson rider. Riding was something he enjoyed for many years, until a motorcycle accident approximately ten years ago left him with a head injury. Although the accident changed his life, Jim continued to find ways to enjoy the things that mattered to him.

Jim's home was also a place where animals seemed to know they were welcome. His beloved dog, Natasha, was a special part of his life. Then there was the huge orange-and-white cat that simply showed up one day, walked right into Jim's home, and apparently decided that he had found his new home. Jim never argued with that decision. He was known for feeding the deer dog biscuits right out of his hand. It was just another example of Jim's way of doing things, he had a soft spot for animals, and apparently the animals knew it.

Over the years, Jim was married several times. Those chapters of his life eventually ended in divorce, but each was part of the journey that made up his life. In his later years, Jim settled down with his long-time companion, Brianne, who preceded him in death. She was an important part of Jim's life and will be remembered as part of his story.

Jim loved people just as much as he loved his animals. He made regular trips to the Fernwood Merc, where his daily visits often turned into long conversations with whoever happened to be there. Jim loved to talk, visit, and tell stories. He had a genuine gift for conversation. For those who knew Jim, visiting him was never going to be a quick stop. If you went to his home, you knew you had better plan on staying for at least two hours. Jim simply never ran out of things to talk about. He had the gift of gab, and he enjoyed nothing more than long conversations.

One of Jim's favorite traditions was talking with old friends back East on Saturdays. He and a couple of longtime friends would take turns calling one another, with conversations that could last for hours. Those friendships meant a great deal to him.

After his 30 years in Fernwood, Jim finally made it to Fernwood Days this past year and he had the time of his life. True to form, he spent the day finding people to talk to and visiting with everyone he could. He had also began visiting the newly opened Fernwood Veterans Center, where he enjoyed the company, the conversation, and, of course, loading up on all available sweet treats.

Jim is survived by his son, Tobias Roberts, and his wife, Heather, and their sons, Ezekiel and Lennon, also known to Jim as "Uncle Leonard." He is also survived by his daughter, Ginger Blackmore, and her husband, David, and their son, Connor. Jim is also survived by his "very best friend," Tina Thomson, her husband Chad, and their children, Tucker and Tatem.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and George Roberts; his brother, Dana and his longtime companion, Brianne.

Jim will be remembered for his kindness, his faith, his stories, his love of animals, his cars and motorcycles, and especially his ability to turn a quick visit into a conversation that could last for hours. He never knew a stranger. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched.

A remembrance for Jim will be held at the Fernwood Veterans Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Friends are welcome to come have a hot dog in Jims memory, share some stories and conversation in true Jim fashion.