James T. Waugh

Jim (James T.) Waugh, a longtime resident of Big Lake, passed away Nov. 16, 2009, at the home of his mother in Lakewood, Colo., after a courageous battle with cancer.

A Celebration of Life will take place June 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hangar Lounge, Mile 1.5 S. Big Lake Road.

Jim was born in Montrose, Colo., on Jan. 5, 1957, to Lu and Herman Waugh. He spent his childhood in Uravan and Nucla, Colo. Upon graduation from high school, Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. He earned numerous medals. He was a big rig operator for 29 years.

Upon his return from the service, Jim relocated to Alaska, where he spent the remainder of his life.Jim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish, and Alaska was his paradise.

Survivors include his mother, Lu Waugh-Smith of Lakewood; father, Herman Waugh of Montrose; brothers, Bruce of Big Lake and Mark of Battle Mountain, Nev.; sister-in-law, Dawn, nephew, Justin, and niece, Jordan, all of Battle Mountain; step-brother, Scott Smith of Powder Springs, Ga.; aunts and uncles, Edna Rowan, Alice and Raymond Hawks, Dorothy Westerman and Teresa Richards; cousins, Patrick Scheetz, Theresa Rood, Dan and Don Hawks, Darlene Stanfield, Tom Rowan, Kathy Rowan, Debbie Volger and David Westerman; adopted family in Alaska; and many, many friends in Alaska and Colorado.

Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Donna Waugh, and brother, Herman Waugh Jr.