James Gideon Rothwell passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 on Whidbey Island at the age of 88. Jim was born in Los Angeles, Calif. on May 1, 1925.
He lived in Los Angeles through his early years, graduating from Loyola High School in 1943.
Jim enlisted in the Navy, joining the V-7 officers training program. He studied at various universities and schools while in the program, including some time at Carroll College in Montana and the University of Washington.
Jim was commissioned in 1945 and, later that year, met his bride to be, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Wehrle at a Christmas party held at Columbia University. Betty and Jim were married on March 23, 1946.
His first tour of duty was aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. He later served on a number of U.S. Navy ships including the USS Duluth and the USS Pasadena, both light cruisers as well as the USS LST-1123, the USS Guadalupe, and the USS Belle Grove.
In addition, he served in the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Tokyo from 1957-1959.
He finished his career at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, Calif.
Jim and Betty traveled extensively, living in Coronado, Guam, Monterey, Concord, Japan, and again in Coronado. Along the way they raised a daughter, Diane and a son, Jim.
Once retired from the Navy, Jim began a second career as a science and math teacher at Coronado Junior High School.
Jim subsequently worked for a time as purchasing manager for a tuna fleet. He and Betty also lived in Roswell, N.M., enjoying their daughter Diane and her family, later returning to Coronado, where he became a realtor. After 51 years together, Betty passed away in 1997. Jim remained in Coronado and subsequently met and married Dana Adler. They moved to Oak Harbor in 2000.
Jim was known as “Papa” to his grandchildren and step-granddaughters. They, along with other family members and friends, will miss him greatly.
His grandchildren are raising families in Massachusetts, Illinois, California and Sydney, Australia, so his legacy lives on around the globe. All will miss Papa, but we will cherish the good memories of his multi-faceted life.
Jim is survived by son Jim (Sally) Rothwell, son-in-law Jim Childress and step-daughter Lisa (Nick) Massman.
Also surviving are grandchildren Keith (Jill) Childress, David (Brandy) Childress, Josie Rothwell (Ralph Butterworth), Kimberly Rothwell (Graham Smith), and Amber Rothwell (Robert Scott Wildes), Tanya Taylor and Libby and Molly Massman. Six great-grandchildren also survive. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Dana, in 2002 and daughter Diane in 2012.
Committal services with full military honors will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor,.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and offer condolences in the Book of Memories on their website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com
