James Earl Harbin

James “Jim” Earl Harbin passed away on July 13 in Spokane.

Jim was born on Oct. 8 in 1934 in Genoa, Ark. As a young child Jim moved with his family to Springfield, Ore., where he was raised and graduated from high school in 1952. After graduation Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. It was here that Jim met and married his first wife, Leona Laffoon (deceased 1997) of Troy, Mont. Jim was a veteran of the Vietnam War and retired from the Air Force in 1974 after 21 years of service as a chief master sergeant. After retiring, Jim earned a master's degree from Eastern Washington University. He worked for Spokane County's Department of Social Services as a drug and alcohol counselor until his retirement.

Jim will forever be remembered for his passion of golf, hunting and his two grandchildren Jared and Makenna. Jim leaves behind his wife Rosemary Harbin of Cheney, son Jamie Harbin of Sandpoint, Idaho, daughter Deena Presnell and son-in-law Martin Presnell of Sandpoint, grandson Jared Presnell and granddaughter Makenna Presnell, sister Dorrie Riley of Los Angeles, Calif., and three stepchildren, Rev. Jason Sullivan of New Jersey, Michael Sullivan of Princeton, N.J., and Carolyn Sullivan of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Jim will forever be loved and missed by his family, golfing buddies and friends.

A celebration of Jim's life will take place at the Fairways Golf Course in Spokane on Thursday, July 17, at 5 p.m. Golf attire welcome. For those that wish, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.