James ‘Jim’ Alff

8/18/1945 – 4/14/2010
Birthplace: Bellingham, WA
Last Resided in: Bellingham, WA
Service: Celebration of Life
Location: Squalicum Boat House
Date: Wed. April 21, 2010
Time:2 pm
Obituary
Jim Alff, 64, died quietly Wednesday morning, April 14th, in his home. At his side was his beloved dog Rocko, cat Quasimodo, his brother Larry, and his closest ally and friend, Jenny. His severe illness was brief, and his passing was peaceful. Extraordinary and charismatic, a brother, an uncle, a “sometimes husband” and a loyal
friend, you just barely approach him in a few paragraphs.
Jim was born August 18th, 1945 in Bellingham to Clarence and Elsie Alff. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964 and was a “three time Charlie” during his two years of service in Vietnam. Jim returned to Bellingham and worked at Uniflite, tried his hand at commercial fishing, and finally settled into his 29 year career as Maintenance Lead at Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center. The staff and clients at Lake Whatcom Center quickly became Jim’s extended family. His compassion and loyalty to the Center was unsurpassed.
Jim’s love was the water. He always had a boat, and often more then one. At every opportunity he would be out on the bay or on the lake. Jim was surrounded by his many dear friends and family in his last few weeks. He is survived by his brother Larry, nephew Ted, niece Cathy and loving friend Jenny.
To know that donations will be made in his name to the Whatcom Humane Society would please Jim very much. The Humane Society address is 3710 Williamson Way, Bellingham, WA 98226.
A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held Wednesday, April 21st at 2 PM at the Squalicum Boathouse at Zuanich Point Park, 2600 Harbor Loop in Bellingham.
Guestbook
Date: 4/16/2010
City/State: Houston, tx
I want to express my condolences and offer some spirtual encouragement found at Rev.21:3,4 that said “in alittle while longer he will wipe every tear from their eyes and death will be no more neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain will be no more the former things has passed away.”
Date: 4/16/2010
From: Claudia Groom Marsh
City/State: Bellingham, Washington
Jimmy and I went to grade school(Lowell)together . He lived behind the Mayflower geocery store (Donovan and 12th st)He was the first boy I had a crush on.It’s funny I was just thinking of him on Wednesday when I Was at work at the So. Side Pharmacy, like I’ve done at times over the years since we grew up. Never knew he was so close.He is remembered with fondness. God Bless him and Family and Friends at this difficult time. Claudia Groom Marsh
Date: 4/16/2010
From: Julia Healy
City/State: Bellingham, wa
So many people loved and cared about him. I will miss him sooooo very much. We used to have many great conversations.
Date: 4/16/2010
From: cindy williams
City/State: bellingham, wash
I met Jim in the early 70's right after he came home from viet nam, we had alot of good times , he had such a gentleness about him even after all he had been though, I was surprised to see him in the hospital and was planning to reconnect with him, I’m sorry it wasn’t sooner, he certainly was a sweet heart cindy
Date: 4/16/2010
From: cindy williams
City/State: bellingham, wash
I met Jim in the early 70's right after he came home from viet nam, we had alot of good times , he had such a gentleness about him even after all he had been though, I was surprised to see him in the hospital and was planning to reconnect with him, I’m sorry it wasn’t sooner, he certainly was a sweet heart cindy
Date: 4/18/2010
From: James Chervenock
City/State: Bellingham, WA
I had the pleasure of working with Jim for the past nine years. In that time, Jim taught me a lot. I miss Jim a lot. There is a huge hole at work without him. He was the type of guy that could fix anything and loved a good challenge. He also loved to tease people. I went to my truck a few times looking for flat tires and dents that did not exist.
Date: 4/19/2010
From: Tannis Peura
City/State: Blaine, WA
God has received an angel, an honorable, honest, dedicated and hilarious angel. You will be missed by many. You gave me laughter when I was down, you gave me hope when I felt hopeless and you gave me direction when I was lost…You have made a difference in this world and I am so honored that I got to know you as I did. I send my condolences to your family and all your friends…I thank you for being the friend and co-woker that you were…You will never be forgotten.
Date: 4/20/2010
From: Mike Spain
City/State: Everson, WA
Jim arrived with Jenny at the hospital emergency room Monday morning March 29 with notable pain that had lingered since a recent back surgery to relieve what was suspected to be a pinched nerve. His leg and hip had become notably swollen but the exact cause was unknown. While waiting to be checked in his heart suddenly stopped. He was given CPR for about 30 minutes, barely responding and stopping several times and was then placed on life support until someone could determine what happened. We waited throughout the day and evening and following day until Jim was slowly revived and woke around 7 pm Tuesday. He was weak but quickly came aware and did not seem to be alarmed or confused…he became notably sharp and responsive and recognized us all. Over the next few days tests revealed that Jim had cancer to a degree that he had little time left. He was clear that he wanted to go home if at all possible and he worked hard to get strong enough to get there. Jim arrive home on Tuesday April 13th shortly after noon to be greeted especially by Rocko and Quasi but also along with his brother Larry, Jenny and I. He wanted to sit rather than go directly to bed and just embrace being back home and ‘take it all in’. He said he was happy to be home and Rocko sat at Jim’s feet with his head in his lap just ‘hugging up’ to each other for awhile. Jim listened intently to the nurse’s instructions along with us to make sure ‘we’ got it right and laughed and smiled at the mention of getting his own ‘bath girl’ soon. We finally helped Jim to bed later that afternoon. I remember the arm support over his head was notably low and about bumped him in the head. I held it back while Jenny lamented ‘just hold it there Mike while I fix it right’. Jim motioned to me to come closer with a half grin and an eyebrow raised and he spoke in my ear ‘you let her talk to you like that?’ …and I replied ‘well, of course I do’…he smiled and said ‘you two work good…together’. That meant a lot to me. I believe it meant a lot to him to say so. We watched ‘Deadliest Catch’ on TV that afternoon together. He told me he was looking forward to seeing the new season premiere at 9 pm that night. Jenny called home shortly after 7:30 am the next morning, choking back enough to tell me that Jim was ‘gone’. He had passed away that morning. I arrived shortly after and noted how peaceful he appeared. Larry related that Jim had woke about 3 am with one leg out of the bed. Larry helped him back and made sure he was comfortable. When he asked ‘are you all right?’ Jim replied with a notable ‘thumbs up’ gesture and said ‘I’m O.K.!’ I believe that was the final thing Jim wanted to share with us all…to assure us ‘he’s O.K.’. I suspect now, that every time I see someone throw a ‘thumbs up’ my way…I am going to have a momentary flash to remind me again that ‘Jim’s O.K.’ Maybe you will too. Mike Spain
Date: 4/21/2010
From: Rich Sandeen
City/State: Bellinghanm, WA
I worked with Jim in the 80s. We shared maintenance duties at Lake Whatcom Center. I always enjoyed working with him, he was a good soul. My thoughts and prayers are with Jenny and his family. Rich
Date: 4/21/2010
From: Jeff Doyle
City/State: Bellingham, Washington
Jim was living proof that even a good man will die. At first I was upset that they should even revive him only to experience more pain, but then the way things so purposefully unfolded before his final breath left me grateful. Though brief, I am relieved to have shared the depths of my heart to Jim before he left. I am sure, despite some physical painful moments, Jim was glad to have his kind of ending with all the transpired. In fact, I remember more smiles coming out of him in ICU than I remember elsewhere. Oh, the brevity of life! I have known too many people who were gone without notice. Yes, Jim is gone and you and I will be too someday. Until then, I am glad to have known this man and will cherish the memories!
Date: 4/24/2010
From: Nancy Jones Olsen
City/State: Eagle, Idaho
I went to Lowell Grade school with “Jimmy.” I remembered him through the years; he had one of those infectious grins. He was the first really cute guy I ever noticed-young love in elementary school! I recall him being so nice to everyone. I am very sorry for you loss. God just brought home a fantastic guy.
Date: 4/25/2010
From: Tawnya Falcon
City/State: Bellingham, WA
Our Jim will tremendalby be missed as he shared an unconditional love that people could feel in his caring ways. I am the cook at Lake Whatcom Center and it is just not the same not seeing Jim stroll into the kitchen to fix something or to collect vegteble juice for his cat Motto. Jim was the kind of guy who took pride in all things that he did and gave words of wisdom for peopole who asked (like me). I have to tell a short story, I have a knickname, Jim. THis name was given to me when I was dating my husband. Everytime I went shopping with my husband he would always say “damn it Jim” (phrase from Star Trek) when my husband forgot something to add to the shopping cart. I figured then I must be Jim because I was always with my husband when he said “damn it Jim”. So that is how I became Jim and I probably respond to Jim more so than my name Tawnya. I leave you with this “Damn it Jim” you have touch so many lives in your years and will be missed with a love of memories.