James Yount

1943 - 2023

James Yount
April 25, 1943 - April 30, 2023
Sequim, Washington - Jim Yount passed away peacefully at his home in Sequim, Washington at age 80. He was born in McMinnville, Oregon.
Jim grew up in Richland, Washington, and was a graduate of Columbia High School class of 1961. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University in 1965 and worked at both Battelle's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Westinghouse Hanford (WHC). During his career at Battelle, Jim was part of a team that earned a National Endowment for the Arts award for a robotic humanoid, "Manny," developed with support from Disney's Imagineering division. His fondest WHC memories were of the FMIT team.
Jim retired at 55 and his artistic side flourished in retirement. He continued his life-long love of photography; he was inspired by a glass carving in Sausalito, California and pursued glass carving with a vengeance. He became involved with the art communities in Richland and the Olympic Peninsula, following a move to Sequim in 2003. A friend recently wrote: He will always be remembered with gratitude and delight by so many people, for his brilliant mind and generous sharing of his gifts with art communities and his friends.
During a trip to the National Corvette meet in Illinois in 1998 he purchased his favorite car, a 1965 Corvette convertible. The car was in great shape and, always one to see room for improvement, a ground-up restoration by Jim soon followed. He enjoyed the car for over 20 years.
Always a designer, Jim designed our retirement home in Sequim, WA. While we loved the house and never tired of the beautiful view of the Olympic Mountains, a combination of wind and golfers prompted a do-over. In 2009 we purchased 5 acres in a peaceful, wooded area, and Jim custom-designed a splendid craftsman-style home.
Jim's life was characterized by his optimism and gratitude. He gave to others an abundance of kindness, help, hospitality, and good will. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor.
Jim was predeceased by his parents Herbert and Grace Yount, brother Phillip, and his dog Marvin. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Anne Lauby and a son Michael Yount (Marianne Kinkel). At Jim's request, there will be no service.