Tanner James was born Dec. 2, 2008, to Kim and Carl Neely. He was the greatest joy of our lives. Tanner grew up in Lewiston, attending school and developing an intense passion for the great outdoors. He lived life his own way and would rather spend every minute of his time outside than ever be in the classroom or anywhere he had to sit still. He enjoyed playing baseball, football, wrestling and loved skiing all winter long. He cultivated great friendships with everyone he encountered and stood up for things he believed in.
Tanner is deeply loved by a large, blended family. He has many cousins, siblings, nieces/nephews, aunts/uncles, grandparents and extended family that enjoyed the time they spent with an often impulsive, hardheaded but kindhearted, loving squirrel who enjoyed making other people laugh and smile. He loved listening to loud music and dancing like a goofball with his little sister Payton. He had a priceless smile and laugh that brought great joy to our homes. His parents and family will miss him for the rest of our lives.
Tanner spent the last nine years in 4-H and loved being part of the 4-H community. It was a place where he was happy to serve, and had a gentleness for animals that he didn’t always have for people. Every spring he would spend a week or two helping to deliver baby piglets and provided exceptional care to the animals he was in charge of. He loved the excitement of fair and was sad every season to say goodbye to an animal that he ultimately loved.
Most of all, Tanner loved the mountains and being in nature. His greatest memories with family and friends were camping, hunting, shooting guns or his bow, and his greatest passion was fishing. Tanner was happiest with a fishing pole, or two, in his hands. He spent countless hours in the water and loved fishing anytime and anywhere he could get to. There was not a fish he could not catch, and his goal was to be one of the greatest fly-fishermen in the world. He loved fly-fishing in Alaska, Michigan, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon, but still called the North Fork the most beautiful place on earth. This is where he found his greatest sense of peace and happiness.
Tanner believed in hard work and loved being on friends’ farms where he could scout for elk, big bucks, turkeys and coyotes while learning to run equipment, weld and of course just be outdoors. He spent this summer learning many new skills and deeply respected his employer for teaching and believing in him.
Tanner sadly passed away, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in a tragic farm accident. While this accident has left us shattered and at a loss, we are going to honor him and the joy that our kindhearted young man brought into everyone’s life. Our family would like to extend our greatest appreciation and love to our family, friends and community for the endless comfort and support that has been shown to us during this time. Your kindness and comfort will never be forgotten.
There will be a celebration of life held for Tanner from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Lindsay Creek Vineyard, 3107 Powers Ave., Lewiston.
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- Date & Time
- Saturday, September 27, 1:00 PM
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