James Everett Shook

James Everett Shook 1/30/1928- 12/7/2006 Born in his parent's home on S. 15th St., Tacoma, the only surviving son of James P. and Violet J. (Bartle) Shook, Jim lived a long happy life. His life ended with terrible brain injuries caused by three falls in quick succession on an icy street very near his N. Tacoma home on 11/28. It seems fitting this old U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII and the Korean conflict would find his requiem on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. That day of infamy completely changed the course of Jim's life. He left Stadium High after his junior year, but always felt cheated that V-J Day occurred as he was on his way to boot camp. After serving his stateside hitch, Jim returned to Tacoma and a post-graduate course at Stadium. Working and staying active in the Marine Corps Reserve, the GI Bill gave Jim a chance to begin college at PLU, then PLC. After two years there, his boyhood friend John Abrams invited Jim to visit at WWU, then WWCE. Captivated by the beauty of Bellingham and the campus, he transferred to Western. Jim's very first weekend there, he met his future wife, also a Western student. Two years later, on 8 June, 1950, they eloped. After graduation, Jim returned to Tacoma with his family and began his first year of teaching at Jefferson School. Then, after ten years, Jim moved to Hunt Junior High to teach 9th grade social studies. Constantly working toward his master's at CPS, now UPS, Jim next became a counselor at Stewart J.H. His final career move was to Woodrow Wilson H.S., first as a counselor, then was appointed administrator in 1969. He retired as an educator in 1982. The following fall, happily persuaded with arm-twisting from his wife, Jim bought an SE Alaskan Gillnet Permit. He then spent eight exciting years salmon fishing out of Ketchikan each summer and fall. Jim fondly remembered those years as some of his life's best. In retirement, Jim and Persis enjoyed many cruises and trips to far corners of the world. He kept physically fit by working out faithfully three times each week, using his longtime membership in Tacoma Elks Lodge #174. Jim made many enduring friendships with men with whom he regularly exercised at the club. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and and older sister Gertrude (Erling) Thompson. He is survived by his adored and adoring wife of nearly 57 years, Persis Fidelia, his loved little sister Dolores (Jim) DeVore and five treasured children, George Reynolds Shook (Susan), Jon Timothy (Dep), Sidni Elizabeth (Mark) Battle, James Paul (Carol), born on his father's 31st birthday, all of Pierce Co., and Joel Justin (Patricia) of Meridian, Idaho, as well as thirteen very beloved grandchildren in Pierce Co., Alaska and Idaho and six great-grandchildren in Pierce Co. A memorial service will be held at 2PM on 12, Jan 2007, at Christ Episcopal Church (310 N. K St.) where Jim served on the finance committee. Instead of flowers, if you wish, contributions may be made to another of Jim's volunteer organizations, Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 7124, Tacoma, 98406 or any charity of your choice.