Dr. James "Jim" Bikkie

Dr. James Andrew Bikkie of Moscow, passed away October 15, 2020, at the age of 91, at Bishop Place Senior Living Center.

James was born April 30, 1929, in Brainerd, Minnesota to Elmer and Edna Thompson Bikkie. He grew up and attended school there, graduating high school at Brainerd. Brainerd was also the place where he met the love of his life. After graduating high school, James joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.

While stationed there, James and Shirley Anne Grant eloped in 1952, and lived in Portsmouth, Virginia.  They were always destined to be together, born in the same hospital, confirmed at the same church, and attended grade school together, so it surprised no one.  While in Virginia, they welcomed their first daughter Ann Irene.

After the Navy, James and family moved back to Minnesota where he attended college to pursue higher education. This is also where they welcomed their second daughter Patty Sue. James acquired his bachelor’s degree,  went on to get his master’s degree, and not being satisfied until accomplishing his PhD.

His educational pursuits took him and family to Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. Nebraska was where he and family developed their love for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. A love that they have continued to share wherever they have lived. After completing his PhD he became the Department Head of Vocational Education, at the University of Idaho in 1973, and upon arrival they fell in love with Moscow, ID. Deciding it was home.

Besides loving education, James always loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener, and in general outdoorsman.  He loved also loved automotive maintenance. Taking great care of all of their vehicles.  

James Bikkie was a PhD, a teacher of teachers, an outdoorsman, an author, but to his family he was a husband, father, an uncle, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather. He always had his candy jar ready and during the summer he had tomatoes and raspberries to share and in the fall a variety of apples.

James in preceded in death by wife Shirley (2016), brother Donald (2019), and parents Elmer and Edna. He is survived by his daughters Ann Redinger of Moscow, Idaho and Patty Bikkie (formerly Kelpin) of Sierra Vista, Arizona. He is also survived by grandc

hildren: James (Chelsea), Samantha (Joseph Schumacher), Christopher (Natalie), Casey (Maria), and Chase (Kimberly), as well as nine great-grandchildren (Peter, Isabella, Annalea, Penelope, Maggie, Brock, Brooklyn, William, and Victoria), and extended family.

At his request, there will be no formal service. It would please him greatly to have memorials made to the Moscow Public Library in his honor.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. James "Jim" Bikkie, please visit our floral store.