Jim Gilmore

Jim Gilmore Passed away early in the morning of the 14th of March, just short of his 82nd St. Paddy's Day. Typical of Jim, he maintained his sense of humor and love of people to the very end. He always had a story to tell, a joke for everyone he met, whether it was an old friend or a stranger in an elevator. He was always thinking of others-his comment on March 7, the day he decided to stop dialysis was, "They have other people who need help." Jim has joined his parents and brother Marion, lost in WWII, brothers Johnnie and Avery, and sister Norma, his favorite. Jim was born in Wyoming and grew up in Butte, Montana. He left school to work as a mechanic for his father, met Bernice, joined the Navy, eloped right after boot camp, and then joined his generation in fighting WWII. He was a Navy machinist mate and skipper for landing craft. He navigated into the beach on Saipan with a load of Marines during that invasion. The Navy and service to his country were very important to Jim, and he asked to be buried with his comrades at a VA cemetery. After the war, he started work as a maintenance man for the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas, then left to join the electrical apprentice program at Local 48 in Portland where he spent the next 25 years. He left the tools for the front office and worked in labor relations, for Local 48, Howard S. Wright, and Parsons Construction, including a stint on Alaska's North Slope, before retiring 20 years ago. Jim was always a bit of a country boy-he loved classic cars, country music, Old Grand Dad whisky, and panatela cigars. He loved working with his hands (unless it was a project that Bernice assigned himÉ) and he loved to keep a neat and tidy workspace, whether in the garage or in the kitchen cooking omelets. He loved teasing the family cats. Jim was unfailingly cheerful and a born politician. One of his proudest achievements was lobbying a bill through the Oregon legislature, "Jim Gilmore's Crap Bill" which has ensured that workers will have a bathroom facility at construction sites. He was also proud of his years as scoutmaster of Troop 283 in Portland. Jim is survived by his wife, Bernice, sons Tim of Seattle and Pat of Anchorage, and granddaughters Ryanne, Kelly, Erin, Casey, and Devin. A celebration of his life will be held May 12, 2007 between 3 and 8 p.m. at the Lake Washington Rowing Club, 910 N. Northlake Way, in Seattle. No flowers requested. Contributions can be made to the charity of your choice or the Group Health Foundation, 1730 Minor Ave # 1500, Seattle, WA 98101. Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Seattle, Washington