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James Anton Emerson Sr.

Birth	:	28 Oct 1922 Albion, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Death	:	5 Apr 2016 Albion, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Nairn Cemetery, Nairn, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate	:	43.1126620, -81.5559120
Plot	:	Sec 2 B-8 L-12 P-
Inscription	:	He was blessed with the love of two good women.
Description	:	James Anton Emerson Sr. was born Oct. 28, 1922, at home in Albion, to Anton and Ruth Kenoyer Emerson. He went to the Lord on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, from his home in Albion. Dad's father was crippled and unable to work, and Dad spent his childhood and teenage years helping to support his family during the Depression. He was a champion worker, and he taught his children to work hard and attempted to teach his grandchildren the same thing. Dad had many adventures as a young man, including riding his motorcycle through the middle of a cow at the bottom of... Read More	James Anton Emerson Sr. was born Oct. 28, 1922, at home in Albion, to Anton and Ruth Kenoyer Emerson. He went to the Lord on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, from his home in Albion. Dad's father was crippled and unable to work, and Dad spent his childhood and teenage years helping to support his family during the Depression. He was a champion worker, and he taught his children to work hard and attempted to teach his grandchildren the same thing. Dad had many adventures as a young man, including riding his motorcycle through the middle of a cow at the bottom of Kitzmiller Hill. He also ran through a pig in Albion. One of the stories from Dad was being told as a young man that he would never father children. He decided to prove that doctor wrong, and boy, did he succeed! Dad joined the U.S. Coast Guard right after Pearl Harbor was bombed in December 1941. That's a story his kids will have to tell you because we can't print the details. He served as a gunner's mate on the USS Haida. He served in the Pacific theater, mostly in and around Alaska. His favorite spot was Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He met Mae Annabelle Edwards on a blind date in February 1944. They married on April 18, 1944. They moved to Albion after he got out of the military. Dad was a farmer who raised a huge garden for many years. Oh, the memories we have of picking potato bugs (a nickel per 100 was the going rate). He raised cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs and sometimes rabbits to feed his family. He took his children to Wawawai to pick fruit for canning. After the dam went in, he took them to Troy for the same reason. Dad farmed and worked at several different jobs before beginning work as a stationery engineer at Washington State University in 1953. He retired in 1981 and was always amazed that he was still getting retirement checks more than 35 years later. He also spent 12 years as the city clerk for Albion. A lot of that included having seven of his kids help by mowing the city park and clean streets, and reading the water meters in the middle of the winter. The family spent many days at the Albion Cemetery, property that had originally belonged to Dad's grandmother. They made order out of chaos and did their best to keep it up throughout the years. On the morning of his death, he told us how proud he was to have been able to do that for the town. We discussed his "water witching" powers, which he used to help locate the town's "new" well (in the early 1960s). He was amazing to watch. Following his retirement from WSU, he and Mom went herding sheep for a friend. They spent months in the mountains, camped where they were looking right at Mount St. Helens. Their baby girl, Dawnie, was cared for by Peggy and Jeff while they traveled. She spent summers and school vacations with her parents and the sheep. Dad loved to hunt and did so for many years. He usually took his family to deer camp, but only the big boys went elk hunting with Dad and his friends. One of the great family stories is about how, on one trip, he shot a bear. Any of his family members would be glad to share that and other stories that are too sacrilegious to put into print. Dad joined the Moose Lodge on March 6, 1947, and was a proud lifetime member. He received almost every award in the fraternity, including the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. He held every office of the lodge with the exception of treasurer, including four-and-a-half terms as governor. He served the lodge as administrator for 10 years. When he took the position of administrator, the lodge was in debt with no money in the bank. When he left the chair 10 years later, all bills were paid in full, they had no debt, and there was money in the bank. He joined the Moose Legion on April 9, 1967, and became a fellow on Sept. 16, 1969. He was elevated to the Pilgrim Degree of Merit on May 27, 1995. He became a member of the 25 Club on Dec. 31, 1971, and sponsored 125 members. He sponsored nine members into the Moose Legion in his career. His contemporaries often told of times when the lodge was out of money and about to close its doors. Every time, he would come back on the board and, through his leadership and dedication, the lodge would survive and come back to fraternal and financial health. He believed in mentoring future lodge leaders. He believed that younger men had the ability to lead, and he taught them how to do it. These were the same qualities he shared with his children. Mom died on Feb. 16, 1999. They had eight children, seven of whom survive him. His children and their spouses are Michael and Linda Emerson of Albion, Patrick and Ruth Emerson of Pullman, Jim Jr. and Kathy Emerson of Pullman, Peggy and Jeff Perkins of Albion, Karen and John Eastburn of Pullman, Dan and Vicki Emerson of Albion, and Dawn and Corey Krantz of Pocatello. He was preceded in death by Karen's twin, Kevin Emerson. Dad is also survived by his siblings, Evelyn White of Walla Walla, Dick Emerson of Cheney, Wash., Don Emerson of Pullman, and Eileen Gregory of Peyton, Colo. He has many, many nieces and nephews who span several generations. Dad married Velda Powers on July 5, 2001. Velda passed away on July 5, 2004. They enjoyed traveling and doting on the grandchildren. Dad left behind dozens and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and had a pretty good start on a new generation of great-great-grandchildren. He was loved by everyone who knew him. Dad's greatest wish was to die in his home, in his chair. He was able to do so because of the love and support of his family. Special recognition has to go to Peggy and Jeff Perkins, who watched over Dad with loving care for many years. Michael and Linda Emerson played a huge part in keeping Dad at home this last year. Michael stayed with Dad most of the time. Linda took over feeding him, and he especially loved her zucchini bread and chicken noodle soup. Karen Eastburn brought Dad much relief when he was in pain. She gave him wonderful massages. Dawn Krantz brought her children from Pocatello often, home-schooling them in Albion for weeks each year so their Grandpa Jim could visit them. Jim's kids were all able to gather in his home prior to his death. Many of his grandchildren were able to spend time with him. We have to say a special thank you to the grandchildren who helped. A celebration of Jim's life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the Albion Community Church. The Pullman Moose Lodge will give a tribute of service presentation at 4:30 p.m. at the Moose and hold a dinner for his family and friends. Jim has been cremated, and burial will take place when the lilacs are in bloom at the Albion Cemetery. Kimball Funeral Home is caring for the family. Lewiston Tribune April 7, 2016

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Anton Emerson Sr.'s memorial?
James Anton Emerson Sr.'s memorial is located at: Nairn Cemetery, Nairn, Middlesex County, Canada.
When did James Anton Emerson Sr. death?
James Anton Emerson Sr. death on 5 Apr 2016 in Albion, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Anton Emerson Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 43.1126620
Longitude: -81.5559120

Family Members:

Parent

Anton Emerson

(1897 - 1964)

Ruth Elizabeth Kenoyer Emerson

(1901 - 1993)

Spouse

Velda Ellen Stites Emerson

(1929 - 2004)

Annabelle Edwards Emerson

(1924 - 1999)

Siblings

Elizabeth Lorraine Emerson

(1926 - 1926)

Richard Leroy Emerson

(1927 - 2020)

Donald LaVerne Emerson Sr.

(1929 - 2016)

Children

Kevin Albert Emerson

(1955 - 2004)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. East Williams War Memorial Cemetery
Nairn, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1118710, -81.5517930

2. Nairn Mennonite Cemetery
Nairn, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1110130, -81.5474390

3. East Williams Townline Baptist Cemetery
Bowood, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0777030, -81.5355870

4. Carlisle-Carlyle-Falkirk Cemetery
Carlisle, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1298200, -81.4802740

5. West Cemetery
McGillivray, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1735340, -81.5780770

6. Charlton Cemetery
Duncrief, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0779420, -81.4639400

7. Sutton Cemetery
McGillivray, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1656160, -81.4706990

8. Bornish St. Columba Roman Catholic Cemetery
Bornish, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1027140, -81.6777710

9. Denfield-Welsh Cemetery
Denfield, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1207850, -81.4288680

10. Mars Hill Cemetery
McGillivray, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.2068026, -81.5388933

11. Saint George's Anglican Cemetery
Denfield, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0935560, -81.4277620

12. Baptist Cemetery
Lieury, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1979179, -81.6167450

13. Coldstream Society of Friends Cemetery
Coldstream, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0214000, -81.4981900

14. Brinsley Anglican Cemetery
Brinsley, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.2119560, -81.5304850

15. Hume Cemetery
Coldstream, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0215450, -81.4925350

16. Poplar Hill Cemetery
Poplar Hill, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0086960, -81.5192630

17. Parkhill Cemetery
Parkhill, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1711560, -81.6798200

18. Ivan Cemetery
Ivan, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0290900, -81.4612600

19. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
West McGillivray, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.2174600, -81.6073500

20. Littlewood Cemetery
Ilderton, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.0912020, -81.3881780

21. Saint James Cemetery
Clandeboye, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.2004050, -81.4348750

22. Ebenezer Cemetery
McGillivray, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.2323570, -81.5084800

23. Centenary United Church Cemetery
McGillivray, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.1914930, -81.6910560

24. Nursery Cemetery
Clandeboye, Middlesex County, Canada
Coordinate: 43.2160290, -81.4549330