Memorials › James Robert Best Sr

James Robert Best Sr

28 Feb 1930 – 23 Feb 2012

Birth	28 Feb 1930
Death	23 Feb 2012
Cemetery	Kartar Cemetery Okanogan County , Washington , USA
Added by	Teresa on 16 Apr 2020
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90551225

Bio

James Robert Best Sr., 81, of Kartar Valley, passed away Feb. 23, 2012, at home surrounded by his family. James was born Feb. 28, 1930, in a canyon near Tonasket, Wash., to Arthur and Lillian (Brady) Best. He grew up and lived in the Okanogan Valley for most of his life. On March 12, 1951, he married Alice Condon in Okanogan. To this marriage were born seven children. First came their daughter, Ronnie, followed by six boys, James Jr., Duwayne, Lary, Tom, Dave and Shawn. James was in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. After he returned home, he worked in construction on several dams in our area. He retired from Colville Power and Veneer in 2005. He also operated his own ranch in Kartar, which he was most proud of. James was a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and a past member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association. You could find him and Alice at the bingo hall. Always on the go, they loved traveling with the Colville seniors or attending rodeos. James was a cowboy by definition, from his cowboy boots and championship buckles up to his 20X hat. Although he was always perfectly polished, James and Alice were not afraid to work hard on their ranch in Kartar. James was very proud of all the champions created on his ranch —cowboys, cowgirls, horses, wrestlers, and football players. He and Alice proudly sponsored the first trophy saddle for the Suicide Race. The fast paint horses that were born and bred on the Best Ranch made him beam with satisfaction and pride. He also taught a lot of his family to team rope. James is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Alice, of Kartar Valley; daughter, Ronnie (Randy) Marcellay of Omak; sons, James Jr. (Cecilia) of Wellpinit, Wash., Tom (Julie) of Kartar, Dave of Omak, Shawn Sr., of Omak.; sisters, Mary McGowan of Okanogan and Fannie Crossland of Omak; brother, Albert Best, of Disautel; 17 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren He was preceded in death by both parents; sons, Duwayne and Lary; brothers, Joe and Lincoln; and sister, Lillian. The family Rosary was held Feb. 26 at the Best Ranch in Kartar Valley, with his Rosary on Feb. 27 and funeral service at the Omak Longhouse on Feb. 28. Burial will be in Kartar Cemetery. He left a legacy that will live on in his children and grandchildren, who loved and respected him dearly. A good life, a full life. "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyways." — John Wayne

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