Jim Musser

Jim Musser passed away January 10, 2015, at his home in Grand Coulee, Wash., following a short and challenging battle with cancer.

Jim was born in Hillsboro, Ore., on February 3, 1934, to Joe and Henrietta Musser. He graduated from Vancouver High School, Vancouver, Wash., in 1953. While serving in the military as a paratrooper in Germany from 1954-57, Jim played football for the Army. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor Degree in Science in 1960, Jim married his college sweetheart, Karen Proctor. Additional graduate work included a Master’s Degree at Western Washington University in 1964 where he was assistant football and wrestling coach.

Jim started his teaching and coaching career at Pleasant Hill High School in Oregon, then moved to Fort Vancouver High School and to Lake Washington High School in Kirkland. In 1971, Jim and a partner started a boat building business, Blue Water Boats, which built 38’ Ingrid ketches in fiberglass. In 1974, Jim formed Musser Inc., which developed and sold 25’ Folk boat hulls and 50’ Hansen Marine Trawlers in fiberglass.

Jim had many adventures, including a 1973 sailboat trip with Karen to the South Pacific in his 38’ boat. He also had his pilot’s license and flew to Mountain Village, AK, where Jim and Karen taught school in the “bush.”

He loved to learn how to do new things, challenged himself to various projects, built hotrods, tinkered with motorcycles and took joy in sharing ideas with his buddies.

Most important to Jim was his walk with Christ. God called him when he was 15 to a belief and faith in Christ. At that time Jim chose his life verse from Hebrews 10:38: “But my righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back My soul has no pleasure in him.” His last conversational words to his wife were quoted from Jude 21 and 22: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

Jim is survived by two sisters: Shirley Ross of Centralia, Wash., and Shirley Musser of Grants Pass, Ore., and his wife Karen. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers.

At Jim’s request there will be no memorial service.

Please sign Jim’s online register book at stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, Wash., is honored to serve Jim’s family.