James Allan Sjolund

James Allan Sjolund, April 21, 1932 - June 11, 2014Jim will be remembered for his high energy, creative thinking, wit and intelligence, and love of his family. He was a son, husband, father, navy man, teacher, grandfather, and friend, who was constantly thinking of his next adventure or project. He loved being in the navy, fishing, real estate, flying airplanes, owning a boat, breeding and showing Arabian horses, cooking, especially Swedish pancakes, singing in choral groups, running a summer camp with two teacher friends and traveling to new places to explore. His lifelong hobby was owning cars and trying out the next model to come along (and making trades and deals), but he couldn't tell you how many he cars he had since college! Born in Bellingham, Washington, as the oldest son of eight children, he went to Western Washington State College, received his Masters degree, and taught music in the Shoreline school district for several years before moving to Olympia, where he was the State Superintendent of Music Education. One of his favorite projects was spending a year in Washington, DC and writing grants to start the National Arts for the Handicapped. Another was spending a year on Orcas Island, administering the Arts for Rural School Districts. Upon retiring, he loved to explore the southwest with his wife in his favorite Dodge Ram truck and 5th wheel, finally settling in Gold Canyon, Arizona for 10 years before returning to the Pacific Northwest and buying a condo in Wilsonville, Oregon. He married Marilyn Walter after college and shared 59 great years while raising three children, Stacy Sjolund, Eric Sjolund and Lisa Munson. He loved watching his eight grandchildren and two great grandsons grow up and participating in their activities. His memory will be treasured by all who knew him, while all the Sjolund stories will be told for years to come.A celebration of Jim's life will be held in Olympia at a future time. He will be interred in a private family service at the Willamette National Cemetery in Oregon. Donations in his memory can be made to either the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org).

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James Allan Sjolund

April 21, 1932 - June 11, 2014