James "Jim" William Arkills Obituary (1945

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, James William Arkills peacefully passed after a short battle with cancer. Born Sept. 19, 1945 in Seattle to Robert and Mary Arkills, he grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Mount Rainier High School in 1964. Always an adventurer, Jim's travels took him to Florida (the Coast and Geodetic Survey) and then he eventually joined the Air Force and was stationed at FE Warren AFB in Cheyanne, Wyoming. It was there that "The Gentleman" Jim met "The Officer" Janet Michaud (she wanted to make sure that he remembered that she outranked him as she was a Lieutenant, and he was an Airman 2nd class.) They married on Feb. 1967 and their only child, Bobby, was born on March 26, 1969. Jim loved to learn and had a deep drive to always improve himself through education. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Forestry from the University of Idaho, a Masters of Business Administration from City University, and then a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University. His employment journey was varied and always interesting from cruising timber as a forester (Burlington Northern, Pope and Talbot, and Pope Resources) to teaching members of the Quinault Indian Reservation how to harvest old growth timber to teaching in public and private schools to long haul truck driver to his final employment stint as a metro driver in Burlington, Vermont and Everett, Washington. Jim and Janet lived in Colchester, Vermont for 7 years and Washington state for the remainder of their years together. Always up to a new challenge, Jim bicycled from Vermont to St. Paul, MN (nearly 1300 miles) at the age of 56. He had many hobbies including building multiple boats as well as crafting an amazingly detailed model train layout in the basement of their Hood Canal home. Jim was known by his extended family as the master host and tour guide, often taking family and friends to unique locations in Washington, and he was always full of anecdotes and humor that kept everyone entertained. Some of his greatest memories were of his and Janet's travels in their trailer, logging thousands of miles both near and far. Whether it was a short jaunt locally or a cross country adventure, Jim loved cruising the open road with his sweetheart. Towards the end of his life, Jim fought a valiant battle with cancer under the loving care of nurse Janet as well as the caring doctors at St. Michael's Cancer Center, his Hospice team of Amanda, Dave, Anna, and Anthony, his Home Instead Care providers (Jennifer, Glenda, Erin, Sydney and Ilaria) and the outstanding caregivers at Franciscan Hospice House. The family is so grateful for their gentle care of Jim. Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janet, his son, Bobby and daughter-in-law Jenelle, and his sister Connie. He was also dearly loved by his granddaughters Lauren, Elise and Kelsey, grandson-in-law Ribenson, his beautiful great grandson Ravix and multiple nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on September 17th at the family home. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the Franciscan Hospice House, 2901 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, Washington 98466. Arrangements entrusted to the Stone Chapel, Poulsbo Mortuary.