James Phillip Duce

James Philip Duce, known affectionately as “Jimmy” to his friends, passed away at his home in Granite Falls on February 20, 2026, at the age of 64. He was born on September 8, 1961, in Everett, Washington.

Jim was the second child born to Lee and Janiel Duce and grew up surrounded by a large, loving family. From an early age, Jim developed a deep love for sports and competition. He enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball and proudly helped his Snohomish High School team take West Coast Championships two years in a row. He also served as a missionary in Roanoke, Virginia.

Jim was a man of many talents and a true craftsman at heart. A painter by trade, he loved working with his hands and had a special gift for creating treasures from found and discarded materials. His creativity and resourcefulness reflected the way he lived—seeing beauty and value where others might not. He was an avid fisherman and loved planning trips with family and friends to catch as many fish as possible. He also had a great love for dogs and found joy in their companionship.

Those who knew Jim remember him as a kind, generous soul who would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need. He was deeply loved by many and will be profoundly missed by all the lives he touched.

Jim is survived by his seven siblings: Colleen, Brian, Ted, Joy, Barbara, Karin, and Jennifer, along with their spouses and many extended family members and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Though we say goodbye for now, we hold close the promise of meeting again.

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Memory of Me

I'd like the memory of me

To be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow

of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering

Softly down the ways.

of happy times and laughing times

and bright sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun

of happy memories that I leave

When life is done.