James Farrington

James A. Farrington (Jim) passed away on January 9, 2016 at the age of 94. He left this world on his own two feet, the way he wanted. He was born to Frank and Alberta Farrington on July 31, 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana. While in High School, he was an avid participant in sports, and was on the swim, track and football teams. After High School, he immediately enlisted in the Navy and participated in all the Pacific Theaters, while serving as the Chief Boatswains Mate (AA) (T) aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Yorktown. Prior to her final sinking, Jim was part of the recovery crew instrumental in marshalling classified material and getting the final shipmates off the ship before she was torpedoed while under tow for the last time.

After receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1945, earning a CincPac Citation, Asiantic Pacific Ribbon (3 stars) Philippine, American Defense Good Conduct Ribbons, American Theater and European Theater accommodations, and Diver First Class, graduating first in his class, he briefly worked on Tug Boats and later became a Teamsters Union member as a Milk Truck Driver.

He was very involved with the Teamsters and was asked to help a struggling local in Yakima in receivership. Send Farrington to Local 760 they said, to wind it up. Jim had other ideas and was successful in revitalizing the Local by gaining new membership, negotiating better contracts for its members and was so successful he spent years in Yakima as the Secretary-Treasurer for Local 760. When he left in the late 60s, the Local was one of the strongest in the Country. While in Yakima, he also served with the local Sheriff's department as a search and recovery diver.

In the early 70s Jim was appointed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as the International Auditor for the West Coast locals. During this time he married Harue Farrington and they were married for over 34 years until her death in 2006. She would always say, Watashi no yÃ...«jin wa, watashi wa hanbun o eru watashi ni iimasu (My friends tell me I get half). After their marriage they relocated to Seattle, Washington with his three boys, Paul, Frank and Chuck.

Jim enjoyed working in the yard and maintaining his property in Seattle for over 45 years and he would say he was often mistaken for the caretaker when the utility people or delivery drivers stopped by. Just last month, he threatened to climb up on the roof and clean the gutters.

Jim is preceded in death by his siblings, his wife, Harue, his daughter Margaret Smith and his granddaughter, Yvette Farrington. He is survived by: his sons James and his spouse Yvonne; Paul and his spouse Ron; Frank; Chuck and his spouse, Michele; and his grandchildren, Kim and her spouse Memo; Dana and her spouse David; Alanna, Drew and Devin; and great grandchildren Jack, Dejah, Andrew and Nicolas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital_______________,