James (Jim) Kent Sherner

James “Jim” Kent Sherner, 74, of Richmond, Utah, passed away peacefully in his beloved log home, surrounded by loved ones on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026.

Jim was born in Ogden, Utah, on June 29, 1951, to Carol Elizabeth Lynch Sherner and Donald Melvin Sherner. His family moved to Salt Lake City, and Jim grew up at the base of Mt. Olympus. He was actively involved in Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout badge. He attended Skyline High School and graduated in 1969. Those early formative years were shaped by Utah’s canyons, rivers, and mountains and engendered a love for backcountry skiing, mountaineering, climbing, biking, rafting, and fishing. Vietnam loomed especially large for America’s youth, and Jim subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves where he trained as a Combat Medic Specialist at Fort Lewis, Washington, and miraculously managed an honorable discharge despite repeatedly going AWOL undetected. But that medic training quite naturally steered him into a lifelong career in healthcare.

Jim returned to Utah in time to win a rare berth in a fledgling dialysis technician program that provided a life-saving treatment for renal failure patients. He later attended Weber State University for his Associate’s in Nursing. He was instrumental in opening the “Bridgerland Dialysis” in Logan, which eventually moved into the new Logan Regional Hospital in 1980. He and co-conspirator Jim Griswold authored a mission statement: “happy staff equals happy patients.” His 33 years of caretaking were legendary, ranking in the top 3% of dialysis centers nationwide in reducing patient mortality.

Climbing was Jim’s favorite sport, not only for the breathtaking backcountry and physical challenge, but also for the lifelong friendships he formed within the close-knit climbing community. He climbed all over the West and later in other parts of the world, but in the late 1980s he was a leading figure in the introduction of bolted climbing to Logan Canyon. After helping establish the climb Kentucky Fried Penguin, the first real "sport climb" in Logan Canyon, Jim went on to embody the philosophy, "if I'm going to place a bolt, I'm going to place it in the best possible place." With that approach, Jim established numerous climbs, many of which have become — and will remain — canyon classics: Begging For Bolts, Nuclear Fingers, Cabin Fever, and more. Jim, and his Bosch hammer drill, laid the first paver on a path that would lead to Super Tweak, the first 5.14b climb in the United States, a climb that put Logan Canyon "on the map.” Jim and his climbing partners maintained that they were the best climbers in the canyon because they laughed more than anyone else when they were at the crags.

He fell in love and married a Michigander, Claire Chadwick, in 1984. Jim got a taste for Caribbean life during a sailing trip with Claire’s family on their sailboat, the Charlotte Jean. The family shared many trips with the Gaddis family to the Baja Peninsula, Belize, the Mayan ruins of Mexico and Guatemala, and Costa Rica. They lived and raised their two daughters in Richmond, Utah. Jim dreamed of building a log home, and with the help of many friends completed its construction in 1990. Their property in Richmond allowed them to pursue their respective love of trees and horses. Jim and Claire divorced in 2009.

Jim enjoyed long-lasting relationships with both patients and colleagues at Logan Regional Hospital. Most importantly, he filled the empty place in his heart when he met the love of his life, Marcie Tuddenham, a fellow nurse manager. They were married in 2012 and enjoyed so many memorable adventures around the world. Their dedication and love for each other was unmatched. Their home turned into a sanctuary, where they poured their love and creativity into landscaping, collecting rocks, seedlings, and seashells from around the world. They loved gathering with friends under the shade of their trees, gin and tonics in hand. Together was their favorite place to be.

Almost any story about Jim wouldn’t be complete without mention of his oldest, best friend, Doug Carlson, with whom he had an infinite number of laughs, much mayhem, and good times. Doug and Jim were deeply connected throughout their lives, which included a three-month journey to the tip of Patagonia, South America, in Jim’s red Toyota truck, which they left behind in the possession of an Argentinian farmer after driving it thousands of miles. These two natural comedians loved to make each other laugh.

Jimmy Buffett’s philosophy of “changes in latitudes, changes in attitude” inspired Jim. These songs acted as travelogues to visit places on “the far side of the world.” Baja held a special place in his heart, a destination he regularly returned to both independently or by convoy, where he made memories with loved ones. 

Jim loved his daughters fiercely. He was so proud of them and their accomplishments, their greatest advocate and biggest fan. His relationship and bond with each of them was his highest priority. Jim loved to spend time with them in Richmond and in far-away places, embarking on cherished adventures around the world where it wasn’t about the destination but about being together. Among his greatest joys were his grandsons, each of whom held a special place in his heart. If you ever spoke with Jim, you undoubtedly heard about his two daughters and grandchildren, who, in his admittedly unbiased opinion, were better than everyone else’s.

Jim’s countless friendships were of utmost importance throughout his life. Whether in person or over the phone, catching up and reliving old stories was a favorite pastime. His weekly meetup with the Motorcycle Gang for Taco Tuesdays was always a highlight of Jim’s week.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, his Marcie; daughters Kristen (Kevin Bean) of Boise, Idaho, and Kellie of Austin, Texas; stepchildren Kyler (Richmond, Utah) and Kassidy (St. George, Utah); and his grandsons Paxton and Graham. He is also survived by his sister Diana of Kettle Falls, Washington; brother David of Boise, Idaho; many adoring nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Carol Sherner, and his brother Max Sherner. Notable beloved dogs included Benjamin, Max, Chako, and Sunny (aka, “nasty little dog”).

In lieu of a funeral service, a Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.