James William Willoughby

February 24, 2020

In Remembrance

A man’s life is defined by his work. It is also defined by what his work brought him, his joy. Jim has finished his work on earth and passed into the ages of time. But what he accomplished in his long life has left a lasting imprint on the lives of people who knew and loved him. We are here today to celebrate that life.

Jim Willoughby was raised at Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station here in Pacific Grove. As an only child he grew up as an independent and self-directed boy and he retained these qualities throughout his life. Much of his childhood was spent exploring the tide-pools and it was this close relationship with the sea and of nature in general that set the course for his life’s work.

His love affair with the marine environment was the basis of his becoming a life-long advocate for the protection of sea life. Even in his retirement he worked tirelessly as founder of the Tide-Pool Coalition to protect and preserve the invertebrates along the Pacific Grove coastline. Impressed with his efforts, he was featured both in the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times which gave him the moniker, The Prince of Tides.

Jim incorporated his love of the sea in many of his endeavors throughout his life. He proudly served in the Navy in the Korean conflict. During this time he remembered being part of the “Passage to Freedom” where his ship completed 7 trips carrying troops and refugees from North Vietnam to Saigon. Jim felt it was a privilege to serve his country and he completed his service with an honorable discharge as a lieutenant.

After Jim left the Navy he found a new challenge teaching natural science to junior high school students. Because of his ability to teach and share his passion about science with his classes, his students took many awards in annual science fairs throughout the years.

After more than 25 years of teaching, Jim retired and he and Lee moved back to Pacific Grove. Enjoying his new freedom he expressed his creativity in his writing, his poetry, his oil painting and especially in his woodworking skills. His little home is filled with unique furniture made from weathered shipboard timbers.

In his spare time he also built and finished two houses and did extensive rock work creating walls to define their garden using granite stones found on the property. So special was this garden that grand-daughter Katie will tell you that fairies came there to play.

Jim Willoughby left this life with a legacy of a beautiful family. His three daughters Diane, Kim and Julie and his three grandchildren were a constant source of joy and fulfillment. Lee, his wife of 63 years was a treasure he did not often talk about, but those who knew him knew well how much he loved her. She was his constant helpmate and support. Jim left this world with Lee, as usual by his side.

When we look at the tapestry of this man’s life we see the golden threads of a job well done, a life well lived.

2nd Reading at Jim Willoughby’s Service

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul

As the swift seasons roll!

Leave thy low-vaulted past !

Let each new temple nobler than the last,

Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,

Til thou at length are free.

Leaving thine outgrown shell by life’s unresting sea!

5th stanza from The Chambered Nautilus

Oliver Wendall Holmes 1858