James Alan Crosswhite
December 26, 1952 - October 8, 2017
Obituary
Jim Crosswhite passed away on October 8, 2017, after a long illness. He was 64 years old, and a longtime resident of Kalama WA. Jim was born in Wenatchee WA on December 26, 1952, to Alan & Bernice Crosswhite. His father was from Santa Maria, CA and his mother was born & raised in Wenatchee. He had two older sisters Connie and Linda, who loved and spoiled their baby brother.
While Jim was attending Emerson Elementary School in Seattle, family changes brought him, additional parents & siblings. His stepmother Karen brought two younger siblings, her son Jim and daughter Hollie. His stepfather Vernon Sundholm added his 3 sons, Randy, Larry, and Terry.
Jim attended Rainier Beach High School and went on to take many welding & business courses at Green River Community College in Auburn, WA. He also learned how to read a blueprint from courses he took at Clark College in Vancouver, WA.
Jim started his professional career with North West Handling Systems in 1979 as Parts Manager and worked his way up the ladder as a Service Manager and ultimately became the Branch Manager in Portland OR. In 1995 he went to work for The Halton Co in their Material Handling Division for 4 years. At that company, he discovered that he enjoyed working in contract Sales and he developed excellent organizational, marketing & people skills. In 1999, he took a position with Engineered Products Inc., where he was employed until his death in 2017. Jim was one of their top salesmen & was a dedicated employee to the very end.
Jim met his wife of 32 years, Patricia, while working at North West Handling. During their years together they had a son Jason and Jim became stepfather to Pat’s 3 boys, Scott, Jeff, and Tim.
Throughout his life, Jim was a good mechanic and loved cars and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He was an avid fisherman who enjoyed steelhead fishing. His dream of living on a river and being able to fish every day came true when he purchased his home on the Kalama River.
Unfortunately, Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about 5 years ago and the last few years became very difficult as the disease progressed. His good friend Jean Rodriguez was there by his side to help care for him, along with his former wife Patricia and his son Jason.
Survived by: His father Alan Crosswhite; his son Jason Crosswhite, stepsons Scott & Tim Evanson, & Jeff Grant; sisters Connie Maas & Linda Ipsen; stepbrothers Jim Melville, Randy & Larry Sundholm; Preceded in death by his mother Bernice Sundholm, his stepmother Karen Crosswhite; stepfather Vernon Sundholm; stepsister Hollie Rae Barnes; stepbrother Terry Sundholm.
We will always miss Jim’s humor, compassion, and love. He will be in our hearts forever.
Throughout our lives ,the time I shared with my brother Bruce would often include the company of Jim and being the little brother I was thrilled to be around such fun loving mischief.It is of my fondest memories, I always admired his kindness and his courage to earn his many accomplishments without hesitation. Always in our hearts.
My condolences and prayers to Jim’s family and friends. I was shocked and sorry to hear of his passing. He reached out to me on FB a few months back and told me of his illness. I’m sorry that he had to endure so much pain.
He was my boss for approximately 5 years at NW Handling. I will forever remember the great laughs we shared and his extended 3 or 4 hour lunch breaks. (Shopping for a new boat motor or fishing gear).
RIP Jim