Jim Roger Kittle, 68, Polson, Mont., passed away of pulmonary fibrosis at his home on Feb. 12, 2015.

He was born Oct. 11, 1946, in Celina, the second child of Royce and Ruth Kittle, and grew up in Ohio and Texas. His father is deceased and his mother survives in Conway, Ark. In 1969, he married Linda Barger, who survives in Polson.

Also surviving are a son, Jess (Rene), Polson; grandsons, Brandon, Missoula, Mont., and Spencer, Polson; sisters, Judy (Larry) Johnson, Spokane, Wash., Paula Kittle, Conway, Ark., and Betsy (Donnie) Kankel, Bulverde, Texas; brothers, Michael (Lynda), West Plains, Mo., and Dana (Kim), Colleyville, Texas; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; and an uncountable number of students whom he called his kids, loved beyond words and never forgot.

Deceased is his brother, John.

He started school at John Brown University but left and enlisted in the army in 1967 to be a helicopter pilot. That was also short-lived as he broke his knee in basic training and then was assigned to be the hospital messenger, a faux pas that resulted in his becoming a disabled veteran.

After leaving the army he taught school at Mendon-Union school district near Celina and found his true loves - school teaching and his wife. He never forgot his sixth-grade students and to the end told fond stories of them.

Over the next 45 years he endured dozens of surgeries and worked as a petroleum chemist, telephone lineman and telephone company manager before enrolling in the University of Montana, earning his teaching credential and becoming a rabid Grizzlies fan. In 1994, he joined the staff of Hillcrest High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, imbuing his journalism and advanced placement writing classes with government, logic, skepticism and a relentless drive for perfection.

He did not tolerate foolishness and named himself the Caviling Curmudgeon, but those who could see beyond the crust found a smart, funny and kind person who passionately cared for his students and their welfare. A number of them kept in touch to the very last week of his life.

He was a champion trap shooter, a sport he enjoyed with his son, Jess, in Washington and Montana, and bemoaned his inability to "get out and shoot, do more woodworking, run his tractor around his property or visit the historical sites of Montana. He died with innumerable unfinished projects and unsaid goodbyes to many who will cherish his memory and miss him dearly.

He was grateful for the loving support of his family, Home Options Hospice Care, the members of Mountain Peaks Bible Church, his therapists and fellow exercisers at St. Joseph Hospital pulmonary rehab, the VA and many supportive friends who all made this hard journey much easier.

A memorial service was set for today at Polson Community Church, Polson.

Condolences may be sent to www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Arrangements are being handled by Lake Funeral Home, Polson.