James H. McGee

James H. McGee

Jim McGee passed away on December 10, 2021 in Palmer, Alaska. He was a beloved husband, father and friend.

Jim was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Harry J. and Helen (Bachmayer) McGee and was the middle of three children. Jim graduated from Clay High School in 1960. He loved music and was known for playing trumpet in varsity band and singing in the acapella club. He was also a member of the chess, hobby and bowling organizations.

Jim joined the Army in 1961 and soon found himself in Alaska. Three short years later he met and married Nancy Bush of Palmer, daughter of Johnny and Evelyn Bush.

In 1964, the Great Alaska Earthquake and its catastrophic tsunami struck the city of Seward. A fuel tanker had exploded and caught fire. Jim, in Seward for training immediately volunteered for rescue duty. The Army citation reads that he displayed a complete disregard for his own personal safety by remaining aboard the stricken tanker and allowed the injured man to be taken ashore for treatment. For those acts, he received the Soldiers Medal from the Army.

Following his heroics, he left his wife and small children at home to serve our country in the Vietnam war. Jim won the interservice bowling championships at Fort Meade, with an average score of 222. He would later go on to become a professional bowler. He was a consummate competitor. For example, after injuring his right hand, he learned to bowl with his left. Remarkably, he became the first and maybe the only person in Alaska to have bowled a perfect 300 game with his right hand and another with his left! Jim also excelled at golf, achieving a hole in one on October 20th, 2011.

After retiring from the military, he opened up his own bowling pro shop in Jewel Lake Bowl, then moved operations closer to home into Eagle River Bowl. He gave bowling lessons and participated in many leagues and built countless close friendships. He was elected into the Alaskan Bowling Hall of Fame in 1993 and in 2000 he won the prestigious 700 Club bowling tournament.

After both Jim and Nancy retired, they moved to the family farm in Palmer to be closer with family and enjoy occasional trips to Reno. He also loved to fish and spent many hours at the Eklutna Tailrace catching salmon. Jim still played golf, socializing with his friends at the golf course and restoring golf carts. He studied football and statistics. If you wanted to know how many times the Ohio State Buckeyes won at home after a Tuesday rainstorm in Montana, he was your man! Utilizing his vast sports knowledge, Jim relished a good prank, or more explicitly, a friendly wager. If you were gullible enough to accept, you’d soon realize his bet was already well-won. Jim was quick with an opinion, but faster with a smile, and there wasn’t a more steadfast friend.

Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy; sister, Jean (David) Samaritoni; daughters, Diana (Ole) Jordan, Michelle (Michael) Adeszko; grandchildren, Michael Adeszko, Madoline Adeszko; and great-grandchildren, Ben and Alexis Adeszko. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry & Helen McGee, and sister, Judy Koren0.

Celebration of life will be held at the Palmer Moose Lodge, 1136 S. Cobb St, Palmer, AK 99645 on January 8th, 2022 at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or online.

Thank you to Palmer Moose Lodge and to all his friends.