Dr. James A. Pulliam

Dr. James A. Pulliam

Dr. James Arthur Pulliam was born on July 25, 1931 in Nampa, Idaho and passed away suddenly on October 4, 2011 in Snohomish, Washington.
Known from his childhood as "Bud", he was the second oldest child of James P. and Beulah (Purnel) Pulliam. His childhood was spent with his extended family in the mining town of Atlanta, Idaho, the rural family farm in Council, Idaho and he completed his high school studies in Boise, Idaho. Raised in the Great Depression and through the war years, times were tough for the Pulliam clan, but they were the times he always remembered fondly, his youthful adventures with siblings, cousins and other relatives, particularly summers in Council. He learned the value of family during these years and he never forgot its importance.
Jim graduated from Boise High School in 1949, active in both football and baseball. The next year he played on the Boise Junior College football team, now Boise State University, that played in the Junior Rose Bowl in Southern California. In 1950 he enlisted in the Marines and spent time in Korea during that conflict. He enrolled in the University of Washington after completing his military service and earned his doctorate degree in dentistry in 1959.
He married Marilyn Marie Clark in 1954. In 1959 they moved to Snohomish County where they raised their five children. He set up his dental practice in Snohomish at that time and it thrived until his retirement in 2001. He often participated in professional Washington State Dental Association events and spent time lobbying in Olympia for causes important to dentistry. He was one of the first dentists to participate in ABCD Program and The No Cavity Club, referral networks providing access to preventive care for children from low-income families. He gave the children as much time and attention as his regular patients, if not more. Once a week throughout his career and after selling his practice he taught pedodontics and supervised clinics at the University of Washington.
Outside his practice, Jim was active in the community. He served on the Snohomish School District school board for 16 years from 1967 to 1983, some years as president, and on the board of the Snohomish Education Foundation afterward. He volunteered for and performed in the annual Snohomish Vaudeville Variety Show every May since its inception in 1979. He particularly devoted much time and effort for the mission of the Snohomish United Methodist Church. His interest in sports never waned, not only UW Husky football season tickets and Seattle Mariners tickets, but also supporting the Snohomish athletics.
Other interests included part ownership in the Silver Lake Winery, working in his garden, keeping politically informed and involved and attending films, plays and other cultural events in Seattle, WA. He maintained a Facebook account keeping in touch with relatives in Idaho and California and always displayed his devotion for his grandchildren who meant the world to him.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, James, John, Jan van Leynseele (Pete), Jeff (Shellie) and Jay; nine grandchildren, Griffin, Preston, Jenna, Karinne, Allison, Claire, Max, Ethan and Madeline; his sister, Lois Montgomery; and his brother, Lawrence "Pat".
He was preceded in death by his sister, Rosa Lou Jackson, in 2007; and his brother, John "Dickie", in 2008.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will take place 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Snohomish United Methodist Church, 2400 Lake Ave., Snohomish, Washington, 360-568-5755.