James Allen Sjolund

James Allen Sjolund 04/21/32 - 06/11/14 Jim will be remembered for his high energy, creative thinking, wit and intelligence, and love of his family. He was a son, brother, husband, father, naval officer, teacher, grandfather, and friend who was constantly thinking of his next project or adventure. He loved being in the navy, teaching, fishing, real estate, flying airplanes, owning a boat, breeding and showing Arabian horses, running a summer camp with two teacher friends, and traveling to new places to explore. His lifelong hobby was owning cars and then trying out the next model but he couldn't tell you how many cars he had since college! Born in Bellingham, Washington as the oldest son of eight children, he went to Western Washington State College, received his Masters Degree, served in the Korean War, and taught music in the Shoreline School District for several years before moving to Olympia to become the State Supervisor of Music. His projects took him to Washington, D.C. for a year to write grants establishing the National Arts for the Handicapped. Another was spending a year on Orcas Island administering the Arts for the Rural School District program. Upon retiring he loved to explore the southwest with his wife, finally settling in Gold Canyon, Arizona for 10 years before returning to the Pacific Northwest to live in Wilsonville, Oregon. He married Marilyn Walter after college and shared 59 great years, raising three children, Stacy Sjolund, Eric Sjolund, and Lisa Munson. He loved watching his eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons grow up and participating in their activities. A Celebration of His Life for family and friends will be held in Olympia on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at 12:00 p.m., at the Indian Summer Golf and Country Club in the Fireside Room, at 5900 Troon Ln SE, Olympia, WA 98501.