Sad news


Passing along the obituary for my brother Jim.

James “Jim” Myers passed away at his home in Hoquiam September 23, 2022 surrounded by his children after battling Cancer for the last two years. Jim was born June 22, 1958 in Kent, Washington to James C. Myers, Sr. and Darlene (Westad) Myers. Jim graduated from Kent Meridian High School in 1976. After a brief enlistment in the Army, Jim married Karen (Church) Myers in 1978 in South Bend, Washington. The two lived and raised their children in the Willapa Harbor area most of the 27 years that they were married. Jim stood by Karen’s side and cared for her until she lost her battle with cancer in 2004. In May of 2008 Jim married Julie (Bjornsson) Myers in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Jim always told people that he was a lucky man because he not only found love with a wonderful woman once, but he was able to find it twice. Jim and Julie moved from Tacoma to Hoquiam in 2015 and happily lived together on their property until Julie passed away after a brief illness in 2021.

Jim worked fourteen years as a commercial fisherman before going to work for the Westport Shipyard for more than ten years. Jim also worked many years with Federal Marine & Defense Services, Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, and until having to take an early retirement due to his illness, he worked for The Grays Harbor Transit. Jim was well known for being a hard worker as well as having a quick wit and sarcastic humor. Jim was very stoic with his feelings but showed his love through kind hearted teasing. Jim enjoyed watching and collecting movies, the quirkier the better. Jim also was an avid reader who enjoyed reading about history and anything nautical. Jim had a deep interest in tractors and enjoyed using his tractors on his property, especially with his grandson. He was a talented artist who enjoyed drawing and painting. Jim also appreciated music and not only enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music, he was self-taught on the guitar and ukulele. In his spare time Jim enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas and Zihuantanejo, Mexico. Jim loved to play in Poker and Black Jack tournaments and also teaching people how to play cards. Most of all Jim just loved being at home with his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, James C. Myers Sr; his wives, Karen (Church) Myers and Julie (Bjornsson) Myers; His son, Benjamin James Myers and his sister, Lisa (Myers) Clendening. Jim is survived by his mother, Darlene (Westad) Myers of Auburn, WA as well as his siblings Paul (Mary) Myers of Morris, MN, Caryn Clendening of Auburn, WA, Tomi Myers- Pierce of Kent, WA, and Michael (Wendy) Myers of Auburn, WA. Jim also leaves behind his children, Rachael (Ken) Hahn of McCleary, WA, Charles (Amelia) Myers of Bellingham, WA, Evan Myers of Hoquiam. Jim is also survived by his grandson, Alex Hahn of McCleary, numerous nieces and nephews as well as his “favorite child” his Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Nestle.

An informal Celebration of life for Jim is planned for October 15, 2022 at 1pm at the Hoquiam Grand Central Event Center, 427 7 th St. Hoquiam, WA 98550. In lieu of flowers, family asks that donations be made in Jim’s name to the North Beach Medical Equipment, PO BOX 2363, Ocean Shores, WA 98569.

I’ll be making a weekend trip to the West coast in a week and a half. I wish I had a better reason for it.

Comments

  1. opposablethumbs says

    I’m very sorry for your loss, PZ. I hope you all have lots of loving support around you, and to share between you. From what you wrote before, too, it sounds like you shared a wonderful relationship. All my sympathies.

  2. ealloc says

    Condolences.

    Reaching across time from 57 BCE, Catullus 101 on his brother’s passing:

    I arrive, brother, at these miserable funeral rites,
    So that I might bestow you with the final gift of death
    And might speak in vain to the silent ash.

  3. Dr. Pablito says

    I’m sorry for your loss, and I’ve enjoyed your writing about him. May memories of him continue to support you and his family.

  4. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Not unexpected, but still the deep sense of loss when it finally happens. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

  5. GenghisFaun says

    Very sorry for your and your family’s loss. Your recent post about him was beautiful and moving. Love to you all.

  6. says

    My condolences to you and your extended family. I’ve lost 3 family members to cancer this year and probably a fourth by years end. It sucks.

  7. drivenb4u says

    Yours is the only blog I still read regularly after all these years. I feel like I know this extended family you share with your readers on occaision. So sorry, but thanks for sharing with us.

  8. fishy says

    Thank you for sharing your life experience, both the best and the worst.
    My sympathies.

  9. unbelievingdwindler says

    My condolences PZ.

    I’m like drivenb4u. I read/check this blog every day, it’s one of my daily rituals.

    I am grateful for this refuge of ideas and people. Thanks for doing what you do. I honestly feel like I owe this blog and it’s regular contributors a lot and they feel like family even though I’m a lurker.

    From your descriptions of him I think your brother was a hard working brave man who was a cherished friend.

    I hope you find comfort in this difficult time.

  10. James Hammond says

    Sorry that your brother is gone, PZ. Condolences from both of us.
    –James & Rebecca

  11. Walter Solomon says

    I lost my brother in 2020. Losing a brother is difficult. My condolences to you and your family.

  12. pharmscigrad says

    Your previous post about your brother Jim moved me to tears, and I am sad to hear of his death. I hope all the good memories help lessen the pain of his passing. All my best to you and Mary on your trip west. Please be safe.

  13. springa73 says

    I am very sorry to hear this. My sympathies and condolences to you and all of his family and friends. He sounds like a very good man who led a good and meaningful life.

  14. Jemolk says

    Sorry to hear that, PZ. He sounds like a great guy; one that the world is better for having had in it.

  15. says

    Dear PZ,
    I wish I had some special words that would ease the sorrow of the loss of your brother. It will take time, but, eventually the fond memories will overcome the sadness. We wish you and your family all the best.

  16. moarscienceplz says

    My condolences.
    I never met him, but I have met you PZ, and I think it it safe to say the world lost a good person.

  17. R. L. Foster says

    We all reach an age when the losses pile up. Sorry for yours, PZ. You don’t get much closer to another human being than a brother.

  18. DLC says

    My sincere condolences, PZ. I wish I had more eloquence, but all I can say is, Cancer sucks and I hope we manage to rid ourselves of it during my lifetime. I lost my older brother in February. We weren’t that close, but it still sucked.

  19. says

    My condolences too. Cancer sucks, as DLC says; but from what you’ve said earlier, at least you and other kin seem to have done what you could to take care of your brother and ensure that he spent his last days with minimal suffering and among those who loved him.

  20. Mark Kucev says

    Very sad. Reminds me once again that life is fleeting. My condolences.
    If there is anything I can help you with, please contact me.
    Mark, editor at jpost