James Paul Gearring
1924 - 2003 (78 years)Person ID: I16275 | Last Modified: 11 Mar 2026
1942 - 2023 (80 years)-
Name James Paul Gearring Nickname Jim Gender Male Birth 24 Jul 1924 Burnsville, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA 
Died 22 Apr 2003 Riggins, Idaho County, Idaho, USA Buried Slate Creek Cemetery, Slate Creek, Idaho County, Idaho, USA [1] -
Family
Wife Sharon Ann McDole (ID:I500002)
b. 10 Nov 1942, Alabama, USA
d. 26 Feb 2023, Texas, USA (Age 80 years)
Other Partners: Joe Delvin Sabrsula m. 29 Jun 1962; Henry Phillip Baxter, III m. 24 Aug 1970; Donald Leroy Judd m. 14 Feb 1987; Leland Hun Davis m. 12 Jun 1993 -
Other Personal Events
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Event Map
Birth - 24 Jul 1924 - Burnsville, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA 
Died - 22 Apr 2003 - Riggins, Idaho County, Idaho, USA = Link to Google Earth 
: Address
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: City/Town
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Source Citations
- [FIND-A-GRAVE] Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141638893/james-paul-gearring.
James Paul Gearring, 78, Passed Away Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at his Home Along Slate Creek, North of Riggins.
Jim was born to Tom Gearringh and Mary Francis (Bartlett) Gearring in Burnsville, Miss., on July 24, 1924. At a young age, his family relocated to Wynne, Ark., where Jim received his formal education.
In November 1942, Jim answered the call of his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Jim landed at Normandy early in the first week of the Normandy Invasion. Although wounded twice during the early days of the campaign, he continued to march east with the 116th Infantry, eventually stopping at the Elbe River. Jim was awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster due to the severity of the wounds he received in combat. Jim was also awarded four Bronze Stars for gallantry during combat in the Reinland, Normandy, northern France, and central Europe. He was honorably discharged in October 1945 and received an Army pension due to the wounds he received in combat.
Jim enjoyed many friends and had a great love for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed both until several years ago when he developed emphysema.
He worked for many years as a commercial truck driver and heavy equipment mechanic. He also worked for Harley Davidson Motorcycle in California during the late 1940s and '50s. As with anything else Jim set his mind to, he excelled at repairing and racing motorcycles and was eventually called on by Walter Davidson to race professionally for the company in the late 1950s.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; "Sis," Iris Lauton; and stepson, Roy Gearring.
At Jim's request, he will be cremated and his ashes spread at his beloved home along Slate Creek.
A memorial gathering at Jim's home will be held at a date to be announced to allow his many friends and family to celebrate Jim's life.
At Jim's request, in lieu of flowers please make any remembrances to the Disabled American Veterans.
Lewiston Tribune Apr 29, 2003
