Obituary: James Barton Hipwell (11 December 1944 - 20 June 2023) James Barton Hipwell, a proud father, grandfather, dedicated farmer, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on June 20, 2023, at the age of 78 from pancreatic cancer and diabetes. He was born on December 11, 1944, in Ogden, Utah, to Clyde William Hipwell Sr. and Helen Jane Wilson Gibson. During his earliest years, he resided on the family farm situated on 12th Street in Marriott, Utah and on the Shoofly and Dixie Ranches in Grand View, Idaho. From a young age, James, known as Jim, displayed a strong work ethic and keen intelligence. Jim was the oldest son and took on the responsibility of helping to milk the family cow at the age of two, providing daily fresh milk and cream for his family, grandparents, and even his aunts and uncles. His siblings recall his knack for organization, tender care of animals, protective nature, and clever ability to convince them that milking the cow was fun so he wouldn't have to do as many chores himself. After graduating from Grand View High School, Jim furthered his education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It was during freshman orientation that he met his future wife, Vera Anita Lindsey. He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Florida mission, which, at that time, included all of Florida and Puerto Rico, and parts of Georgia and Alabama. A fellow missionary warmly remembers Jim as dedicated, hard-working, a great conversationalist even with strangers, and a fun-loving tease who enjoyed lighthearted practical jokes. After serving his mission, Jim married Vera Anita Lindsey, with whom he shared joys and challenges for forty years, before their divorce in 2005. Jim and Anita settled in Grand View, Idaho, where he started farming on his own and resumed his studies at Boise College. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, avidly reading himself to sleep most nights and participating in university classes about agriculture whenever possible. Jim also had a deep love for the Boy Scout program and was a troop leader many times. He remembers that when he was a young teen, his Aunt Willa Hipwell would come and drive the tractor for him so he could go on campouts. He was always grateful she made it possible for him to participate and earn the rank of Life. As an adult, Jim made sure his sons and many, many other boys were able to actively participate in high-quality Boy Scout Troops and experience high adventure activities such as camping, hiking, repelling, target shooting, archery, canoeing the Salmon River, riding in helicopters with the Air Force, and flying flight simulators. All three of his sons and many of his other scouts earned the rank of Eagle. Throughout his life, Jim toiled in the fields and cared for livestock in various locations, including Grand View, Nyssa, Ontario, Melba, Cascade, Donnelly, and Murphy. Farming was more than just a profession to him; it was a way of life that he embraced with pride and dedication. The knowledge he gained from farming and the friends he made over the years became an asset when he later worked in sales, providing fertilizer and pesticides to other farmers. Jim and Anita were blessed with four living children: Mark Hipwell (Danielle), Doug Hipwell (Tiffany), Greg Hipwell (Cara), and Melissa Kamhout (Scott). Jim instilled his love of learning as well as values of hard work and perseverance in his children and his thirteen grandchildren. James will also be remembered by his siblings: Darlene Jane Anderson, Clyde William Hipwell Jr. (Larraine), Suzanne Elsie Budge (Dave), Margaret Ann Lemon (Duane), Arnold Howard Hipwell (Joyce), and Rohl Wilson Hipwell (Faye). The memories created while working side by side on the family farm will forever hold a special place in their hearts. May his soul find eternal peace. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 1 at Zeyer Funeral Chapel located at 83 N. Midland Blvd. in Nampa, Idaho. A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM prior to the services.
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