Obituary

Jim began his earthly journey on Aug 7, 1942. Son of Kelly and Ruth Atwater of Emily MN, he grew up the second oldest of 8 siblings. Jim attended schools in Emily, Crosby-Ironton and Aurora-Hoyt Lakes, MN. He joined the US Air Force in 1961 and trained in heavy ground radar. He served two tours of duty in Thailand and 2 tours in Viet-Nam. He also served with Radar sites in Miles City, MT; Othello, WA; Chandler, MN; Blaine, WA; and then retired from Luke AFB, AZ in 1981.

While in Miles City, MT, he met and married Dona Lebie, and they had one daughter. They later divorced in 1967.  In 1971, Jim married Sheila Naylor of Bertha, MN, and later had one daughter. The family moved to Custer, WA after he retired from the Air Force.
Jim was preceded in death by both of his parents, and daughter Jeannette “Charlie” Aiken. He is survived by his sisters Judy Zettervall of Brainerd MN; Polly (Randy) Balken of Erhard MN, and Elaine Atwater of Emily MN; his brothers Don (Peggy), Chas (Andrea), Ed and Paul of Emily MN.  He also leaves behind wife Sheila of 43 years; daughter Cheryl (Henry) Atwater-Miller and grand-daughter Sylvia Miller of Bellingham WA; Grandchildren Aarren, Kailynn, and Zachary Aiken of Topeka KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that were like family to him.

No matter what community Jim served in, he was always an active member.  He participated in local sports like Slo-Pitch Softball, Bowling, and Pool Leagues. He grew up hunting and fishing with his brothers, cousins and friends in the forests and lakes of Northern MN. He was a friend to many, and made them easily wherever he went. He could fix or build just about anything and was always helping others.

In 1982 Jim worked for Wight Marine doing repair work on oil tankers. Then in 1983, he was hired by Cal-Gas, a liquid petroleum storage facility here in Ferndale. He worked as plant operator for them until it was purchased by Texaco in 1985.  He continued on with Texaco, and in December of 1998 he retired for the second time. This is when he began his daily ritual of reading the local paper from front to back, and doing at least 2-3 crossword puzzles with his morning coffee.

In August of 2000 he served on the Executive Committee for the Bellingham Lion’s Club, which was able to bring the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall to Hovander Park in Ferndale. This was a project that brought healing to many Vietnam Vets, many of whom may never have been able to see the original wall, and this event served to thank them for their service. 

He volunteered at Camp Horizon in Birch Bay for many years as well. Since the camp is located at the old Blaine AFB, he was familiar with the old 2 lane bowling alley there, and kept it running for the campers enjoyment. He also served on the Executive Board of American Legion Post 86 in Blaine, WA and is a member of the VFW Post in Wadena, MN.
He worked hard at whatever he was doing but when the work was done, he played just as hard. He loved a good joke, loved a party, loved his country and loved his family. Jim left us on June 12, 2015 to begin his next great journey. He will be greatly missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Whatcom Hospice House, Lions Club International or other charity of your choice.

Services to be held at Greenacres Memorial Park Chapel on Saturday June 20, 2015 at 2 PM.