James Irwin Best

Born July 1, 1922 to Ralph and Margaret Best in Chehalis, Washington, he lived and traveled up and down the West Coast, working in and enjoying the outdoors. In later years, he would travel the world as well. His brother, Bob, and sister, Kathryn, left a short while ago, leaving him as the oldest child by a bit when he left this world.

By the late 40's, after serving in the Navy during WW2, he had moved to Seattle and joined University Presbyterian Church, where he met the love of his life, Phyllis.

They were married in that church in 1950, and he is survived by three children, Charles, Carolyn and John and six grandchildren.

He spent most of his working career as a land surveyor, was involved in much of the survey work developing Boeing, Bellevue and Seattle neighborhoods in the 50s and 60s, as well as in the logging industry of the 40s, and taught his kids to share his appreciation of the outdoors.

Jim's heart was as big as the outdoors he loved, and lived his life as an example of Christ's words, to love others, and God, as much as you do yourself, and serve the Lord with gladness. He served at UPC in one capacity or another for 60 years, caring for the kids while the folks were at church, as an usher, a deacon and in many a men's discussion group. He spent time in Haiti surveying for water development projects several times, and supported numerous Christian missionaries around the world.

His last wish was that we rejoice with him, that he has come into the presence of The Lord.