JAMES CLINTON "JIM"/"JIMMY" SHECKLER, ~ Class of 1961
June 17, 1943 - August 18, 2010

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James Clinton Sheckler, 67, passed away suddenly on August 18th while at his home on his cattle ranch in West Richland. Jim was born in Yakima on June 17, 1943. Jim's parents, Richard and Irene Sheckler moved from Yakima to the Tri-Cities in 1946 where Jim graduated from Columbia High School in 1961 having never missed a day from Kindergarten through his High School years. He later received his AA degree from Columbia Basin College.

He joined the Army after college and was stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, KS... he also played trumpet in the Army band. After serving his country he returned to the Tri-Cities where he resided for the remainder of his 67 years.

Jim began a career at the Tri–City Herald, eventually becoming the Head Pressman. He later worked at Lamb Weston as a truck driver and retired at his small cattle ranch in West Richland where he resided up to the time of his death.

He was an avid outdoorsman, spending much time at his family cabin in the Bumping Lake area of the Cascade Mountains where he enjoyed Elk Hunting and Fly fishing. He bagged a seven point elk and caught many steelhead and salmon. He was always successful pheasant and duck hunting. There was never on off-season for Jim. He taught his children and others the love and respect for the outdoors and was never wasteful or inefficient.

He was always willing to help those in need and never hesitated to lend a helping hand to friends and strangers alike. He will be missed by his many friends and acquaintances and remembered for his sense of humor and gregarious personality. Always quick with a smile and polite with the ladies, he was a very unique gentleman.

He is survived by his longtime life partner Martha O'Brien; his sisters Nancy Sheckler Arbogast ('69) and Margaret Shrauner-Satterfield of Tri-Cities; Sons Bryan Sheckler of Kingwood, TX and Chris Sheckler of Westminster, CA; and Daughter Susan Mozzone of Maple Valley, WA as well as, the mother of his children, Nancy Showalter of Pasco, WA; Grandchildren Lindsey, Kylie, Payton, Donovan, and Erik Sheckler; Emily and Abigail Mozzone; and great-grandson Zayden Sheckler.

Jim lived a great life, had a kind soul, and will be sorely missed by many. His children will host a gathering on August 28th at 10 AM at the VFW in Richland, WA, 1369 George Washington Blvd in remembrance of Jim and would be honored if his friends attended; we will doing "this, that, and the other thing".

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