Jim (Whitey) Tegnell

Jim came into this world October 22, 1940, joining the Idaho Falls household of his parents, Floyd and Melva, and 7-year-old sister, Marjorie. He was born with a gift of gab and a boisterous sense of humor, later acquiring a salty tongue to go along with it.

When younger brother, Steve, was born in 1944, Jim had a brother to share boyhood adventures. Their home at the north edge of town was in an area still mostly rural; fertile ground for imagination and exploration. They formed friendships with neighborhood pals, and many bonds such as those with Dick Bybee and brothers, Keith (“Bulldog”) and Gary Elg, endured through adulthood.

Inheriting a strong work ethic and gift for working with his hands, these traits kept him busy on many projects later in life. Jim enjoyed sharing the knowledge he had gained with his family and the friends he made over the years.

Humor ran deep in his character, and with his devilish wit he’d regale others with stories usually designed to incite laughter. That side will be especially missed by those who knew and loved him. Claiming that his life’s labors began before he was old enough to carry a Social Security card, Jim professed that he had a paper route at the tender age of two, hauling papers door-to-door in a little red wagon, then starting a lawn mowing enterprise at age five. While the historic accuracy of this is akin to sightings of Bigfoot, we can confirm that he worked during his teen years delivering groceries for Wayne Aiman’s market.

Jim’s talent for building led to his lifetime’s work, beginning with his first job at Aiman Construction. He jumped into entrepreneurship with TAP Construction, initially formed in partnership with Don Aiman and later Rod Nelson, and eventually Jim concluded his career in his role as foreman for Commercial General Construction. He was part of the construction of the first concrete replacement of the John’s Hole Bridge, various projects throughout Utah, Wyoming, and other large projects in southeast Idaho, with his last career endeavor being involved in major renovations at the BYU-Idaho campus.

A lifetime love for dogs began with the four-legged family members of his childhood. He developed an affinity for German Shepherds, having a succession of them as loyal companions throughout his adulthood. In his maturity, Jim married Marianne Surerus, becoming “Whitey” to her “Maudie”. They enjoyed projects in their house that wed his carpentry talents with her flair for decorating, and together they brought their yard to life with creative outdoor settings and plantings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Melva; his sister, Marjorie; and his brother, Steve.

Those who survive Jim include his loving wife, Marianne; her children and their families; a daughter, Ann Marie, (by a previous marriage); nieces, nephew, and grandchildren.

Jim departed this world on November 3, 2026, to begin his next big project.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.