Jim Watenpaugh

Longtime Wasilla resident Jim Watenpaugh, 87, went peacefully to his heavenly father on Dec. 27, 2013.

Jimmie was born March 4, 1926, in Oregon City, Ore., to Florence and Harold Watenpaugh. Spending his early years in the farming community of Lake Labish, Jim graduated from Salem High School.

Drafted during high school, Jim served in the Navy on the USS Flint (CL97) in the South Pacific. They saw action in Battle of the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. They were the first ship to sail into Tokyo Harbor for the Japanese surrender. Jim gave his son and son-in-law each a Last Ditch Rifle and shrapnel picked up from a Japanese Zero breaking apart above the deck of the Flint.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Pinneo, on March 15, 1946. Following the Navy, they lived in Salem and Forest Grove, Ore., farmed onions and worked 24 years for the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

The Alaskan Division of Agriculture recruited Jim as a Supervisor of Produce Inspection. He represented the state of Alaska in state and federal matters for 11 years until retirement in 1993.

He caught a 229-pound halibut, won third place in the Homer Fishing Derby and proudly wore a pictured cap of him and that fish. He delighted in taking his family in his boat to catch Alaska salmon.

Surviving Jim is his wife of 67 years, Darlene; son, Roy of Wasilla; daughter, Mary Lou Carroll (Roger), Salem, Ore.; grandchildren, Jennifer Blanchard (Jason), Salem, Ore., Melissa Carroll, Portland, Ore., and Rebecca Anderson (Nick) of Eugene, Ore.

Preceding him in death was his daughter, Karen Cook.

Jim was a man of God. Recently, he and Darlene were awarded a plaque for volunteerism at the Frontline Mission. His life was one of generosity, kindness, laughter and storytelling. He was a wonderful dad and husband.

Celebration of Jim’s life is at 11 a.m., Jan. 2 at the Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Frontline Mission, Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene, 2001 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, AK 99654.