James "Jim" Michael Irwin

James “Jim” Michael Irwin, age 73, passed away on October 19, 2024, in Bellingham, WA, surrounded by his loving family.

 Jim was born in San Francisco, CA in 1951 to Ira and Lorraine Irwin. His childhood was spent having fun with his younger brother, Steve, spending time with his cousins and learning to fish from his Grandfather Noonan. Jim graduated from Sacred Heart High School and went on to earn an associate’s degree from San Francisco City College. Jim started working for Pacific Gas & Electric in 1971. During that time, he worked in San Francisco where he met his future wife, Melanie. He was transferred in 1986 to Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant to work in the computer center. In 1997, Jim was transferred for the last time to the Fairfield Computer Center where he worked until his retirement. He made many friends during his time with PG&E that remember Jim fondly for his quick wit and hard work.

In 2015, Jim and Melanie moved to Gig Harbor, WA to enjoy their retirement in the Pacific Northwest. Their youngest daughter, Katie, was already living nearby and soon after their eldest daughter, Lisa, moved to Bellingham. Having his family all together again brought Jim great joy and he loved his daughters were so close. 

 Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather who would do everything he could to make the best memories for his family. He loved family camping trips, teaching the girls to fish and cheering on the San Francisco 49ers. Halloween and Christmas were his favorite holidays to go all out decorating the house and making sure everyone had fun.

 As a grandfather, he loved his two grandsons with all his heart. He was looking forward to teaching them to fish as they got older. As the catalogs arrived full of Christmas toys, Jim would pick out gifts he knew they would love. The boys would love it when they could get Grandpa Jim to laugh.

 At first glance, Jim may have seemed intimidating, but deep down he was a kid at heart. He loved all things rock’n’roll, playing guitar, scuba diving, and motorcycle riding. Once retired, Jim enjoyed building models, a morning game of hearts over coffee, and making those around him feel loved.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Lorraine Irwin, and brother Steven R. Irwin.

 Jim is survived by his wife, Melanie Stout Irwin, daughters Lisa Irwin and Katherine “Katie” Jones, son-in-law Spencer Jones, and grandsons Zachary and Jordan Jones.