James Craig Schelinski

November 17, 1943 - July 08, 2018

James Craig Schelinski

November 17, 1943 - July 08, 2018

Obituary

James Craig Schelinski passed on peacefully at his home at the Leopold Hotel on the morning of July 8, 2018. He was the son of Harry Schelinski and Martha Adalide Silakowski. He is survived by his wife, Susan Belle Gerard-Schelinski, two sisters, Jill Payne of Bellingham and June Mooers Schelinski of Prescott, Arizona, five children: James Harry Schelinski of Blaine, Crissanda Reynolds (Rob) of Ferndale, Craig Schelinski of Conway, Camaran Schelinski (Marialynn Tomsin Schelinski) of Maunaloa, Hawaii and Joleen Schelinski of Bellingham, plus ten grandchildren and six, soon to be eight, great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed. Jim was preceded in death by a son, Brice Adam Schelinski.

Jim was born in Michigan City Indiana November 17, 1943. his family moved to Bellingham in 1947 where he grew up on Walnut Street. He graduated from Mt. Baker High School lettering in football and track. After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he attended Skagit Valley College and Foothill Community College in Los Altos, California. Spending most of his life as a carpenter, an occupation he dearly loved, he still managed to pursue a number of diverse interests. Jim was a scuba instructor, an industrial diver at Hanford, a pilot, a licensed massage therapist, and a Dale Carnegie Course graduate. Jim helped develop Cascade Energy Homes, served on the Whatcom Literacy Council, completed the Washington State University Master Gardener program, had a precast concrete business, patrolled irrigation lines in Eastern Washington, was a Certified Nursing Assistant, and Emergency Medical Technician and had an adult family home for seven years. Jim was a life member and 2004 Master of the Methow Valley Masonic Lodge #240. After receiving his contractor’s license in the State of Hawaii, he served as the Molokai Habitat for Humanity Supervisor. In addition to his building efforts, he initiated two non-profits to train carpenters and grow moringa. As the business manager of Molokai Wildlife Management, LLC., he contributed greatly to the emerging venison industry on the island, providing USDA inspected venison for island markets. He also served on the boards of the Molokai Occupational Center and the Molokai Community Health Center. Jim and Sue also managed a bed and breakfast for several years on the island of Molokai making friends with people all over the world.

Jim’s greatest love was his family and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in various callings. Jim was a worker. He was always willing to lend a hand or a hammer. His hands are scarred from hammering out over two hundred homes to the music of ACDC, the Beach Boys and Eddie and the Cruisers. He loved rock and roll music and could sing almost any tune you could name. He leaves a hole in the universe!

Private family services will be held. A public service will be held at a later date.

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5 responses to James Craig Schelinski

  1. Bob Parker says:

    A life well lived Jim, I remember you saying when you were framing houses ” I want to be the best framer they have.

  2. Love you forever! I’ll tell you the rest when I see you.

  3. Dick Sherman says:

    I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing…I remember how we spent time together as young kids at Elizabeth Park.. Each of us loss track of each other, when u move to attend school at Mt. Baker…I am praying for u, as u move to the next chapter in your life…
    Dick Sherman
    Seattle, WA

  4. Rest In Peace father in law,one of the toughest man I’ve ever met in my life..I really love the fact that u always speak freely,never hold anything back, always tell it how it is straight to the point!!!I love u Mr Schelinski,proud to be your daughter in law,very thankful to have met your kind and loving son,and always thankful to be part of your family..I will never say goodbye because I know in my heart that we will meet again..May Heavenly Father bless your body and soul in the name of thy son Jesus Christ Amen..

  5. Dad just wanted to say thank you so much for always being there and having my back no matter what I did.you were the man that taught me everything humility trust be a man how work even taught me a trade that I still do and love.i miss you so much and love you always ibwill see you soon hope not that soon y children miss there grandpa so much love the schelinski

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