Jim was born June 3, 1947 in Seattle Washington, the only child of Morris and Mary Edwards. He attended West Woodland Elementary, Monroe Junior High and graduated in 1965 from Ballard High School. He enlisted in the National Guard while still in high school and served for 6 years. In 1967 he married Georgia Vogel and they had 3 children; Michael, Marcus and Michelle. In 1975 he married Deniece Nelson Poe and in 1979 Jennifer joined their family.
Jim worked in the electrical supply distribution field for 39 years. Starting out in the warehouse and working his way up to being named one of the top outside salesmen in the country for All Phase Electric. His last 10 years were spent at Graybar Electric retiring in 2014.
Jim also became an umpire and worked slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball games throughout the Seattle area and eventually tournaments throughout the U.S. and British Columbia. He was named “Rookie Umpire of the Year” in 1976 and later served as President of the Seattle-Metro Softball Umpires Association. He even umpired at the Mariners and Oakland Fantasy Camps in Arizona and the Old Timer’s Game at the Kingdome in 1987. Always a baseball fan, he worked part-time for the Mariners at the Kingdome and Safeco Field on promotion nights managing the gate crews for many years.
After retiring Jim became interested in classic cars purchasing his own red 1969 Olds Cutlass Convertible. He joined the Puget Sound Olds Club and the Greenwood Knights Car Club and was an active member of both. He even drove his convertible in the Seafair Torchlight and Greenwood Parades and participated in many car shows winning a few awards along the way.
Jim passed away on September 23 at age 75 from glioblastoma brain cancer with his wife of 47 years by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and son, Marcus (2018). He is survived by his wife, Deniece, and children, Michael (Angela) Edwards, Michelle Edwards, Jennifer Reinke (Joel) and son-in-law Jessee Skittrall. Also grandchildren, Brianna Edwards, Kira and Lily Reinke and Celina (Nicolas) Totey, Collin Skittrall and Noah (Kaylen) Skittrall and many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Jim had a great love for our Maltese dogs over the years, including our current 4 year old, Sandi. Therefore we felt it fitting, if desired, that donations be sent to PAWS, P.O. Box 3771, Seattle, WA 98124-3771 or donations@paws.org
Services will be held Friday, October 7, 2022 at Evergreen Washelli Chapel, 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle. Viewing is between 1:00-2:00, Chapel Service at 2:00 with a reception following across the hall from the chapel.
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