Thomas (Jim) James Kinney

Thomas James Jim Kinney, age 65, a longtime resident of Wenatchee and Seattle, died May 12, 2004 in Seattle, after an extended illness.

Jim was born in Wenatchee, Washington on August 30, 1938. He attended schools in Wenatchee, graduating from Wenatchee High School and Wenatchee Valley College and then continued his education at the University of Washington graduating with the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Marketing.

Jim was very talented, very mechanically inclined, a very logical thinker, and very people oriented. In Wenatchee, he worked for Montgomery Wards as an all around handyman and window display coordinator where he was known as "sunshine" because of his happy smile and enthusiastic disposition. Also, in Wenatchee, he worked for Sears in sales for a time and then worked in the cold storage industry installing temperature control equipment in fruit warehouses.

Jim served in the Army taking his basic training at Fort Ord, California and advanced training at Fort Devins, Massachusetts and then served his duty at Menwith Hill, England. After the Army, Jim settled in Seattle and initially worked in several mechanically oriented jobs.

Jim had a life-long passion for the Apple computer and was always reading computer magazines and taking computer courses. He used his love for technology and computers in his long-term career as a graphic artist for King County working in downtown Seattle, and retiring from there.

Another passion that Jim had was playing the banjo. He became an accomplished banjo player and played for many years with the Seattle Banjo Club. He was also learning to play the harmonica and was enjoying that very much.

Jim enjoyed his condo overlooking Lake Union and each year looked forward to inviting all his friends to his Christmas party at his condo where everyone enjoyed good food, good music, and looking at the lighted ships out on Lake Union.

Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, Tom and Helen, of Wenatchee. He is survived by his brother Bob of Salem, OR.

A Life Remembered Service for family and friends will be held on Saturday afternoon, May 15, 2004, at 3 P.M. at EVERGREEN-WASHELLI FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, 11111 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle. Private inurnment will be at the Wenatchee City Cemetery.