John A. Church

John was born to John Junior and Gwen Grover Church on Feb. 3, 1941, in Lewiston. As a youth, John was involved in Boy Scouts and DeMolay, and he graduated from Lewiston High School with the class of 1959. Upon graduation, John was accepted to several schools, including Yale University, but decided instead to attend the University of Oregon, where he completed his bachelor's degree in business administration, class of 1963. He went on to complete his law degree at the University of Idaho in 1966, passing the bar shortly after. But he didn't practice law until 23 years later.

After graduation, John turned down an offer to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and put his legal career on hold to do his family duty as a third-generation owner/operator of Nez Perce Tractor Co., the Lewiston-based Caterpillar and John Deere dealership that served eastern Washington and north central Idaho.

After the company sold in 1987, John finally began his career as a lawyer, working in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley for 21 years. Practicing mostly family law, John took an estimated 2,300 cases during that time. He was also instrumental in launching the pro bono program at his alma mater, the University of Idaho. He accepted many pro bono cases in his own practice and was the 2006 recipient of the Idaho State Bar's Denise O'Donnel Day Pro Bono Award.

John served with the Idaho National Guard, 148th Field Artillery and 116th Engineers, from 1966 to 1974. John was very community-minded and was actively involved in various organizations, including: Lewiston Chamber of Commerce (president), Port of Lewiston (commissioner, vice president), Twin County United Way (board of directors), KUID Public Television (board of directors), Episcopal Church of the Nativity (treasurer), Episcopal Diocese of Spokane (board of trustees), North Idaho Children's Home (secretary), Nez Perce County Historical Society (board of directors), Idaho Community Foundation (board of directors), Lewis-Clark State College (campaign for athletic facility), Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, The Idaho Company, University of Idaho campaign for the Kibbie Dome and Lewiston Library campaign for the new Lewiston Library.

As a boy, John spent his summers in Lowell with his family. They enjoyed horseback riding, hunting and fishing in the Clearwater National Forest, which were some of his fondest memories. He enjoyed travel and made trips to all 50 states during his lifetime. He also enjoyed traveling overseas and made trips to Mexico, Latin America and Europe.

He married Susan Lee Jeans (Church) Dec. 22, 1963, in Springfield, Ore. They later divorced in 1981. John then married Cyndee C. Bourne (Church) July 15, 2000, in Lewiston.

He is survived by his wife, Cyndee C. Church, of Lewiston; sons Jay (Rachael) Church of Boise and Dan Church of Denver; one grandson and one granddaughter; cousins Linda (Greg) Folk of Lewiston, Arthur (Janice) Billings of Eagle, Idaho, and Bobette (Ron) Shreve of Albany, Ore.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Arthur L. and Maude Grover, and John Merritt and Jennie Mae Church; parents John Junior and Gwen Church; and sister Sondra Diane Church.

The family would like to thank Life Care Center and Dr. Harris for their loving care they gave to John during his six-month stay.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, at Eighth Avenue and Eighth Street, Lewiston; interment of ashes will follow. The service will be officiated by Father Bill Caradine.

Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Church of the Nativity, Lewiston Library or a charity of your choice.