He was born on May 13, 1957, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Raymond Tea and Patricia Newbern. He was raised in Mackay, Idaho, where he enjoyed everything outdoors. He graduated from Mackay High School in 1975, and moved to Pocatello where he started working at J.R. Simplot. He spent 35 years working at Simplot in maintenance and recently became a crane operator. He was proud of being an EMT for the last 20 years.
He was a member of the Rod and Gun Club and enjoyed reloading ammunition. He was an avid fisherman and expert hunter. He also enjoyed making fishing lures, welding, muscle cars, gardening, roses, watching little league baseball and NASCAR. He thoroughly enjoyed the company of family and friends while barbecuing and Dutch-oven cooking. He was also every dog's best friend.
He was married in 1976 to Patricia Britt and had two fantastic daughters, Nicole and Tiffany. They later divorced. The last 13 years of his life were spent with his loving companion, Cheryl Starr, and her two wonderful sons, Jacob and Allen. He was blessed with two grandsons and two granddaughters, who were the highlight of his life. He loved watching them play sports and teaching them about the outdoors.
He was preceded in death by James and Alice Tea, Alice Belle Newbern, and Louise Tea. He is survived by his amazing grandchildren, Jalen, Otto, Kaya, and Violet; his parents, Raymond Tea and Patricia (Leonard) Wall; fiancée Cheryl Starr; sister, Penny (Dean) Wall; brother, Randy Tea; daughters, Nicole (Jon) Hoxit, Tiffany Tea and Patrick Moran; sons, Allen Starr and Jacob Newsom, and Patricia Tea.
A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at high noon at the Simplot Pavilion. Immediately following will be a feast fit for a king, so please bring a side dish and your favorite Jimmy Tea story.
Published in Idaho State Journal on August 26, 2010
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