James "Jim" Kofoed Obituary

James “Jim” Kofoed, 78, passed away on February 23, 2026, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, following complications from an autoimmune disorder.

Jim was born on April 10, 1947, in Logan, Utah; the son of Orloff “Ole” Baird Kofoed and Josephine Peart Kofoed.

Ole’s jobs in construction led the family to move frequently and Jim and his younger brother Lew grew up in towns throughout the Western U.S.; living in Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Washington, and Oregon. Jim graduated from Skyview High in Smithfield, Utah, and studied at Utah State University, competing on the debate team in both high school and college. Jim also completed six years in the Idaho National Guard, where he was trained as a medic.

Jim started working at Signal Mountain Lodge in 1973, and returned for additional jobs each summer. (Over time he worked every job available at SML other than being a maid.) It was at Signal Mountain that he met his future wife, Jacqueline Thurston. They were married on April 18, 1975, in Mount Pleasant, Utah. Following the wedding and a month in Logan, Utah, they returned to live at Signal. Once they had settled in Jackson Hole they never left, although they moved from Signal to Teton Village, where they welcomed their first daughter, Rebecca, back to Signal for a few years, and later into the town of Jackson, where they raised Rebecca and their second daughter, Jennifer.

Jim worked a wide variety of jobs and considered himself a “Jack of all trades.” Jobs over the years included installing telephone equipment; being a fishing and float guide, and serving four years as assistant manager at Signal Mountain Lodge; being a chef at the Ramada; working as a night auditor at the Alpenhof; serving as head flagman for Burggraf Construction; and finally being the bookkeeper at several local businesses, including Nelson Engineering. No matter what position he held, Jim was adept at learning the skills required and was a valued employee. He was a hard worker, often working long hours or multiple jobs to provide for his family.

Outside of work, Jim was an avid reader, cook, fisherman, and hunter. Evenings after work often included reading, and he was known to not only enjoy novels, but also to read the National Geographic cover-to-cover. He was a good cook and enjoyed trying new recipes. On the weekends, Jim enjoyed spending time in nature; fishing, hunting, watching wildlife, huckleberry and chokecherry picking, and doing photography. Jim was especially passionate about fishing, which provided him a way to spend time in nature with family.

Jim enjoyed getting to know people’s life stories. Whenever he met someone new, he liked asking their name, what they did for a living (or what their parents had done), and where they were from. From these initial questions, he would strike up a conversation and was good about remembering the details and following up on those he had gotten to know. Jim had a quiet influence that had a big impact as he would encourage and support friends with their small businesses, connect people with scholarships and affordable housing opportunities, and give advice on places to visit. If Jim knew of a resource or of something of interest, he was sure to share the information with people who would benefit from that knowledge.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jacque of Jackson, Wyoming; by two daughters, Rebecca Kofoed of Oregon, and Jennifer Kofoed of Wyoming; and by brother Lew Kofoed (Ruth Ann) of Pueblo West, Colorado, and half-brother G. Robert Hobbs (Dawn) of Mapleton, Utah.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, George William “Bill” Hobbs.

Traditional funeral services will not be held, as the family will celebrate Jim’s life by visiting his favorite fishing spots. Extended family, friends, and acquaintances are encouraged to share stories about Jim and leave comments in the Guestbook on the Webb Funeral Home website https://www.webbmortuary.com/ or on Facebook. In lieu of flowers, take someone fishing.