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July 10, 1948 - July 3, 2018 Jim was born on July 10, 1948 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, WA to Jim and Beulah (Pearson) Shields and raised in Edmonds, WA, graduating from Edmonds High in 1966.
Jim obtained the rank of Eagle Scout in Edmonds and was active throughout his life and lived the Eagle Oath of helping others. He attended Everett Junior College in Everett, WA where he met his wife of 48 years and went on to Western Washington University and University of Washington. Jim and Betsy were married at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Lake Stevens, WA, August 23, 1969 and resided on Camano Island, WA.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Beulah Shields. He is survived by his son, James III (Marcelle); grandchildren, Holyanna and Jimmy; adopted son Anthony Stephen Robbins; sister Margaret (David) Belisle; nieces, Chloe (Shiva) Samudrala, and Alaina Belisle. Also, cousins, Cherie Page, Pauline, Erik and Ashley Leland, and Gwen (Todd) Hennion; and many good friends including Pete Scobby. Jim worked and retired from the City of Everett Parks and Recreation Department for 30 years, retiring in 1999. He was always active in the Everett and Stanwood, WA community events including: Forest Park Swim Center, Salty Sea Days, Langus Riverfront Park, Jetty Island and more. Also, the Stanwood Camano Fair for 15 years, Snohomish County Special Olympics, Everett Parks Foundation, and Boy Scout Troop 46. After his retirement he worked at a number of different jobs at Boeing Everett doing Administrative work until a stroke in 2002 made his retirement permanent. Jim's love of people and the community he lived in gave him the opportunity to be involved in many organizations after retirement. Jim was elected as a Commissioner to the Camano Island Fire Department in 2002 until 2008. He was also a Board Member of the Camano Center from 2011 to 2018.
Jim and Betsy loved to travel and when their son, James, was growing up they camped throughout Washington State visiting every county. Travel included many trips to Mexico, Jamaica, Paris, six weeks of backpacking through Europe (after college), Hawaii, Alaska, East Coast, Florida, Thailand, Philippines, Bahamas, cruising through the Panama Canal and more. Usually longtime friends and family accompanied them and shared in the joy of discovery. Jim will be remembered as a kind, caring, giving person who loved life. Jim was always willing to help people. Anytime he saw someone in trouble, he was there. He was an innovative thinker and his ability to relate stories was a talent few share. He was entertaining and sometimes long winded. His stories and life will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Donations may be made to Camano Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Rd, Camano Island, WA 98282 or Stanwood Cooperative Preschool, PO Box 1801, Stanwood, WA 98292. Celebration services will be in August 2018 on Camano Island.
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