Dr. James Edward Trimble went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 27th, 2023. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home located on Providence Lane near Belle Fourche.
The funeral service was Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Connection Church in Belle Fourche, with Pastor David Fagery officiating. Visitation was held Friday, Nov. 3 at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Interment was held in Pine Slope Cemetery. Jim’s funeral was available to view from his obituary page located on the funeral home’s website: www.LeveringtonFH.com.
James Edward Trimble was born on March 6, 1957 in Pierre, SD to Murel L. and Ella S. (Herren) Trimble. He was the youngest of 6 children. He attended school in Pierre and graduated from T.F. Riggs High School in 1975. During school, he was active in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a talented and dedicated athlete. While a junior in high school, he met his sweetheart, Wanda Ness, who would later become his wife. Jim attended SDSU and received his B.S. in Biology.
Jim and Wanda were married on August 12, 1978 in Pierre, SD. They immediately moved to Fullerton, CA where Jim began school at Southern California College of Optometry, and graduated in 1982. Following, they moved to Watertown, SD where he began his practice of Optometry. He practiced there for 15 years. In 1997 he bought an optometry practice in Belle Fourche, where he worked until the time of his death. Jim always strove to provide excellent, state-of-the-art care to his patients. He was well-loved and respected by his patients, staff, and colleagues. Jim and Wanda became parents to nine children over the course of twenty-one years. Having a heart for their education, Jim and Wanda were instrumental in founding Lutheran Brethren Christian School in Watertown, SD. They began their homeschooling journey when they moved to the Black Hills.
Jim was a very involved and a caring father and grandfather. He had a servant’s heart and was very generous with his time and resources. He loved watching his kids play soccer, performing dance, piano, and other activities. His 20 grandchildren were treasured by him, and he spent many hours enjoying and teasing them. In recent years, you could often find him at Grap’s or the golf course, clad in SDSU gear, enjoying time with friends. His animated, witty personality often kept people entertained, and he loved experiencing and telling “small world” stories. Jim passed peacefully in his sleep, and is now reunited with his sweetheart, Wanda in Heaven.
Jim is survived by his children, Brian (Amanda) Trimble of Pierre, Kayla (Dr. Jay) Heeren of Sturgis, Abby (Tyler) Ehnes of Colony, WY, Scott Trimble of Spearfish, Rachel (Joshua) Savage of Cedar Lake, IN, James (Kenzie) Trimble of Sturgis, Adam (Briana) Trimble of Mitchell, Lucas (Rebekah) Trimble of Belle Fourche, and Josiah Trimble of Belle Fourche; 20 grandchildren, Nolan and Benjamin Trimble, Lydia, Grace, JD, Sadie, and Jesse Heeren, Selah, Ella, Alyssa, Bennett, and Jonathan Ehnes, Talon Trimble, Owen Savage (and granddaughter due in December), Xander Trimble, Mallory and Madeline Trimble, Raelynn Trimble (and grandson due in November). He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; infant son, Christian; infant grandson, Gabriel Ehnes; his parents, Murel and Ella Trimble; and his 5 siblings, Murel Trimble, Arthur Trimble, Vernon Trimble, Vada Trimble, and Donald Trimble.
