James Robert Weikal

James Robert Weikal

James Robert Weikal died September 19, 2003 at Warm Beach Senior Community, Stanwood, WA due to complications from a stroke.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Weikal, in April.
He is survived by his three children, Rita Weikal (Mark Lynd), John Weikal (Lela) and Shannon Sanchez (Phillip); and eight grandchildren.
Jim was born on November 3, 1929 in Pratt, KS. He graduated from high school in Ohio and served in the Air Force for four years. He met his wife, Anne, in New York where they married in November of 1958. He returned to Seattle and worked for Boeing in the "cal lab" for 41 years, retiring in 1993. Jim was a devoted family man whose Catholic faith was very important to him. He also enjoyed a passion for Notre Dame football, display fireworks and trains. Through his company, Exhibition Fireworks, Jim put on aerial displays throughout the Pacific Northwest in the late 60's and 70's. He is known for being one of the first pyrotechnicians to work with a radio station to choreograph an aerial fireworks display to music. His love of trains started as a child in Pratt, KS and evolved into an enduring passion as an adult - reflected by the many vintage photos he took of locomotive steam engines and the railroad in the 1940's and 50's. He enjoyed volunteering as a guide on local passenger trains after retirement.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd at 11:00am at Immaculate Conception Church in Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent in Jim's name to Warm Beach Senior Community (WBSC), 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292.
Arrangements under the care of Weller Funeral Home.