James Noble Toavs

James Noble Toavs, 79, of Columbia Falls, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at his winter home in Sun City, Arizona under the care of his family.

Graveside services are 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2015 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls with Pastor Jerry Buchanan officiating. Visitation is 2 to 7 p.m. at Buffalo Hills Funeral Home in Kalispell Friday, Dec. 17 with a remembrance service at 7 p.m.  You are invited to share a memory of Jim at the service.

James Nobel Toavs was born on Aug. 19, 1936 the youngest son of Nicholas and Katie (Penner) Toavs at the family farm north of Wolf Point.  He was raised and attended Wide Awake school until age 12.  In 1945, the family moved to Columbia Falls. Jim attended youth group at First Baptist and met Ava Harder.

James married Ava E. Harder on April 3, 1955 in Columbia Falls.  In 1957 they purchased a small farm west of Columbia Falls and raised their four children, Katherine, Laureen, Diane and Michael.   Jim worked at Plum Creek Lumber and later at Anaconda Aluminum Company, ARCO and CFAC. He worked himself up to chief operator in the rectifier controlling the power.  He retired in 1995.  Jim loved to fish and hunt and soak up the sun in Arizona in the winters.  He was a master MacGyver at every thing he touched, if there was a way to fix it he was the man for the job.

Jim raised his kids to love the Lord and trust in Him in everything.  Jim was a devoted and loving husband.

James was preceded in death by his wife Ava; daughter, Laureen; six brothers, Theodore, Nicholas, Reuben, Wilmer, Martin and Frank and one sister, Susie Khron.

He is survived by his children, Katherine (Jerry) Choate of Sidney, Diane (Tim) Werner of Crosby, North Dakota, Michael Toavs of Glendive and son-in-law Rod Emmert of Columbia Falls; eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; brother, Arlie (Jeannie) Toavs; sisters, Margaret (Tommy) Heidner, Ruth (Erwin) Spenst, Elizabeth Stevens and Hannah Shuttlesworth.

Stakston-Martin Funeral Home of Crosby and locally Buffalo Hills Funeral Home are assisting with the  arrangements.