James (Jim) L. Jewell, 97, of Kirkland passed away Monday December 18, 2023 at his residence in a care home in Bothell, Washington. He was born March 10, 1926 in Everett, Washington to Fairhaven Lashua and Moro Jewell. His four grandparents were all from Washington State making him a 3rd generation Washingtonian.
Jim was predeceased in 2017 by his wife of 64 years, Jane Jewell. He is survived by his children: son Jeffrey (Marilyn) Jewell of Sammamish, daughter Janet Jewell of Lake Cowichan, B.C. and Kealekekua, HI, daughter Joanne (Rob Peterson) Jewell, of Vashon Island, WA, and daughter Jean (Duane Esty) Jewell of Kona, HI. He has eight grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
In Everett he was known as “Jimmy” Jewell, but began going by Jim when he moved to Seattle and attended Queen Anne High School where he graduated in 1944. Immediately after graduation, he joined the Navy and worked as a radio dispatcher. The war ended before he did his tour in Asia.
When he was released from the Navy, he went to the University of Washington on the GI Bill, and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Communications. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (Tekes) Fraternity where he made enduring friendships. In those days he performed as a ventriloquist with his dummy “Charlie”.
He met his wife, Jane McInnis, in the “Y-Knots” Tacoma YMCA/YWCA recreation club along with many of his lifelong friends. They were married in 1953 and moved to Seattle. Jim got a job as a disc jockey at KRKL which broadcast from the Kirkland Civic Center where he and his family lived in the first floor apartment, rent free, for four years, before building their home on Rose Hill. He was a resident of Kirkland for nearly 70 years.
As a child of the Great Depression, he learned to be frugal, and continued this frugality throughout his life. He would loan a penny to one of his kids when they asked for one for a piece of gum.
Jim returned to college in the early 60’s to get a teaching certificate. He taught English at Redmond High School for ~15 years. He often rode his bike to work almost 8 miles each way.
He believed strongly in the benefits of exercise. He was an avid runner, hiker and backpacker. In his 50’s, he started running marathons. He spent many summers hiking and backpacking with good friends including Nels Soderstrom. He was dedicated to a vegan diet for ~ the last 20 years of his life. He loved a good joke–even if it was on him.
Jim Jewell was an independent-minded man who had a passion for life. He was an original. He will be missed.
Join us for an interment at noon on June 21, 2024 at Kirkland Cemetery at the corner of NE 80th Street and
122th Avenue NE. Following, from 3:30 pm to dusk, will be a celebration of Life at Cimarron Community Park 1421 229th Avenue NE, Sammamish 98074. Catered event. Please RSVP: bikingharmony@gmail.com
