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James Chamberlain Obituary


JAMES G. "GARY" CHAMBERLAIN
April 7, 1935 ~ October 15, 2017

Jim Chamberlain was born in Bourbon County, KS and peacefully passed away at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, WA. Gary and his three sisters were raised on a small farm in Turkey Creek, KS. He graduated from Valley High School in Menlo, WA while working at delivering newspapers, bucking hay, stacking wood for neighbors and at the local South Bend Oyster plant.
After high school graduation, Gary honorably served in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carriers; Oriskany and Kearsarge. During his service he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal.
After his Navy service, Gary attended Grays Harbor College and worked for Boeing in Seattle, WA. After the Boeing downsizing of the 60's, he moved to Vancouver where he worked, and retired from Alcoa/Vanalco.
In Vancouver, Gary met and married the love of his life, Zilda. "Jimmers" and Zilda spent many happy years traveling this country and many other countries abroad. He loved cars and driving them. Travel, reading and golf took up his retirement years. He had a sense of curiosity about people and the world around him and his can-do, self- sustaining attitude found him remodeling, fixing, roofing and tiling his home and the homes of family and friends.
~ Gary loved his wife, his family, friends and neighbors. ~
Gary is survived by step-son, Steve Duncan (Annie), step-grandson, Phil Duncan (Joy), step-great-granddaughter, Taylor Duncan and step-grandson, Brad Duncan; as well as step-son, Tom Duncan and step-grandson, John Duncan; sisters, Jeane Hein and Kathleen Chamberlain; nieces, Sherry Richardson, Bev Francis (Ned), Tami Bowden (Steve) and Antares Olson; nephews, Steve Smith (Lori) and Ken Turner (Penny); along with many great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Della Chamberlain; sister, Lila Turner; nephews, Kerry Turner and Curt Turner; and beloved wife, Zilda.
"How lucky we are to have something
that makes saying goodbye so hard." (with apologies to A.A. Milne)
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Published by The Columbian on Oct. 29, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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3 Entries

Dear Gary, I will think of you always and remember the wonderful years growing up together in Kansas. You were always my dearest Big Brother. I shall miss you very much. Your Sister Kathleen and your Niece Antares Olson.

Kathleen Chamberlain

November 1, 2017

I will miss my uncle's kind, loving and supporting presence. Being the first-born, I always felt I was the "special" one . . . I now know, that was one of his gifts . . . Everyone had his full attention. Everyone was special in his eyes and heart.

Sherry Richardson

October 30, 2017

James Gary Chamberlain (Jim/Gary, you choose) was my step-dad. He was a dedicated loving husband and a valued employee who put in a lifetime of hard work. He taught himself to do many things. He was a do-it-yourselfer who wasn't afraid of learning a new task. He absorbed books, especially history and how-to books.

As an avid investor, he took responsibility of his own finances and did a very good job at it. Although politically conservative, he had room for everyone in his heart. Jim was also adventurous, willing to drive cross country and take numerous trips with his wife Zilda (my dear mother) to far-off locations. Jim loved to drive and took great care of his cars and trucks, a passion we both shared.

Gary always kept in close touch with family, and treated his step-sons as if they were his own. He was generous with gifts of things, money and his own time. He would help you move or come visit you in the hospital or even another city. He did these things for me.

Jim and Zilda had dogs. They gave selflessly to their animals, never hesitating to devote the time and money to make sure they were well taken care of. In return, they adored them.

Well thought of by his friends, neighbors, co-workers and many others, you would be hard pressed to find someone with a bad word to say about Gary. In life, he was a very good man. In death, he remains an example for us all.

Steven Duncan

October 29, 2017

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