Joseph James Hope

Joseph James Hope, 53, suddenly left this world July 19, 2023 exactly how he would’ve wanted, riding his beloved Harley.

The third of four sons, James was born May 28, 1970 to Dennis Kay and Sheila Faye Hope. He attended schools in Rexburg, later joining the Army National Guard and eventually shifting his primary focus to his favorite role, fatherhood, after the birth of his first daughter with Lori Bolland, Sarah Elyse. James and Lori later divorced. He soon met, married and spent many years with Connie Whitmore. James happily raised her son Colton Brock as his own, a short time later they welcomed their daughter Brittany Elaine, and completed their family with the baby, Austin James. He truly loved being a father and never skipped a beat to be the kid he was at heart, with his kids. James and Connie were later divorced.

James spent many years as a knowledgeable diesel mechanic for Clair’s Diesel and Automative in Idaho Falls. His kids fondly remember days spent in the shop by his side, or holding his stained and calloused hands from his hardwork. His work life later transitioned to the oil fields in CO and ND, where he managed successful teams of workers for many years. Most recently, James owned and proudly operated Rocky Mountain Portable Toilets (RMP) in the Boise area. He was an incredible businessman and took pride in building lasting relationships with his customers, while providing top notch service and equipment. He thoroughly enjoyed keeping RMP family oriented, employing Sarah and Austin to help keep things running smoothly.

James was a motorhead and a true outdoorsman. He deeply enjoyed anything that took him through the wind and up in the mountains – dirt bikes, four wheelers, snow machines and especially his motorcycles; hunting, fishing, mudding and camping. Most of those memories were made with his parents and his brothers, who he loved wholeheartedly.

James took as much pride in being a grandfather as he did in being a dad, he always tormented the grandbabies in the silliest ways. He built bottle rockets, took them for bike rides, taught them to fish, spent many hours watching movies, had sleepovers, always got in a quick tickle session, would get on the ground to play with the babies, and did all the things that us kids would deem “annoying”. His newest granddaughter was born a week before his departure, he was so proud and incredibly excited to meet her. Ryker, Kysen, Kooper, Jamesyn, Axel, Athena, Kinlee and Elora will spend the rest of their lives hearing all the goofy stories of their grandpa and how we wish he could’ve spent many more years making a lifetime of memories together.

To know James was to know he was strong willed and wild spirited. He ventured through many phases of himself but never put anything less than a 100% commitment into all that he did. James cared deeply, loved unconditionally and never skipped a beat to end every phone call or text message with “I love you”. He was the type of man that would give the shirt off his back to someone he didn’t know, to crack a joke at the most inappropriate time, could put on a stern face just to make things incredibly awkward, loved to send random SnapChat photo filters, or would buy you a beer and make conversation. Above all, he was the man whose smile always lit up the room followed by a laugh that would get everybody going. We think anybody would agree, losing that mile wide smile has dulled the world of all that knew him.

Narrowing down the man James was, reminiscing on his life and his greatness really puts into perspective the true magnitude of losing him. Unanswered phone calls, text messages and empty chairs at family gatherings will always remind us of just how much we’ve lost and how shattered our hearts are.

“Crank it loud, hold it down until we get there, and when we do, we hope you got some new stories to tell. Until then, give Heaven some Hell.”

Joseph James is survived by his children, Sarah (Travis) Fremont of Boise, Colton (Coral) Whitmore of Idaho Falls, Brittany (Nathan) Hulse of Idaho Falls, Austin Hope of Idaho Falls. His parents, Dennis and Sheila Hope of Rexburg. His brothers, Kent (Sparky) Hope of Boise, Bryon (Tracie) Hope of Rexburg, Barrett (Colette) Hope of Rexburg. His 8 grandchildren, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is proceeded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his niece McKenzie Hope and his favorite brother-in-law, Gregg Whitmore.

Funeral and/or life services will be announced at a later date.