James Idsinga, Jr. August 13, 1972 ~ October 15, 2023 (age 51)

Funeral services for James Idsinga, Jr., 51, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Thurs, Oct. 19, 2023, at Central Christian Church with Pastor Don Thomas officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Floyd Hancock, Taylor Teague, Junior Ramirez, Andrew Benavidez, Wade Rutter, Dean DeGroot, Clayton Barber, Marc Stevens, Curt Jaynes and Andy Schaap serving as pallbearers.  All the members of his family, along with his fellow dairymen and his countless friends, will be honorary pallbearers.  The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Wed. evening from 6 to 8 PM.  Those desiring to make memorial contributions may send them to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 or at https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout.

James Idsinga, Jr., known to most as “Jim” or “Jimmy,” was born Aug. 13, 1972, in Corona, CA, to the home of Joann Margaret (VanDyk) and James Idsinga, and died at his home early on the morning of Oct. 15, 2023.  The family moved to Portales in 1988, and Jim graduated from Portales High School in 1990.  On Jan. 22, 1994, in Portales, he was married to Alyssa Stratton.  They were blessed with a son, James Michael, whom he proudly called “Champ,” and a daughter, Ashlynn, whom he adoringly called “Princess.”  Above everything, Jim was a devoted husband, father, and a doting “Pop Pop”.

He grew up working on the family dairy, in which he remained a partner until his death.  He could always be found around the farm in his signature apparel-an In-N-Out Burger t-shirt, shorts, and boots no matter the weather.

Jim earned the nickname “Sportsman Jim” for his love of fishing and hunting. He enjoyed going to the lake to go water skiing or to the mountains to snow ski with his friends.  He was also an avid quad racer and was quite the daredevil when it came to off-roading in his ATV.  Oftentimes he could be found grilling in his shop or throwing together a full-on crawfish boil for his many friends and family.

Jim lived life to the fullest, and he loved people without reservation. He was unfailingly strong, courageous, and optimistic.

He is survived by Alyssa, his wife of nearly thirty years of their home; his son, James Michael Idsinga of Portales; his daughter and son-in-law, Ashlynn and Cody Mason of Pennellville, NY; two grandchildren, Liam and Hollyn Mason; three sisters, Gina DeGroot and husband, Dean of Canyon, TX, Cheryl Barber and husband, Clayton of Portales and Andrea Idsinga and Justin Rhoads of Evergreen, CO; as well as 18 nieces and nephews.  James was preceded in death by both of his parents.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Idsinga, Jr., please visit our floral store.