Michael Clark James

Michael was born November 29, 1957 in Denver, Colorado to Davis & Patricia James. He was raised at the River in the Klickitat and Lyle area. The James family then moved to Goldendale in 1971, where they made it their home for 28 years. Michael graduated from Goldendale High School. The family moved to Wapato, Washington in 1998.

Michael loved the outdoors and always wanted to go camping. He liked huckleberry picking, hunting, fishing, and digging roots. He loved playing with his grandchildren. His hobbies included making beaded earrings, sitting by the window in his favorite chair reading the Sports page, reading western novels and watching western movies (he especially liked Clint Eastwood). Michael was an All-Star athlete in football and basketball. He loved the Greenbay Packers “GO PACKERS.” Michael was a fisherman, construction worker, laborer, and a firefighter. He was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation.

The family would like to give special thanks to the nursing staff at Parkside Nursing Home, the nursing staff and doctors at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA and last, but not least, the Yakima Regional ICU staff and doctors for their support, care and compassion.

Michael leaves behind his longtime companion, Jennifer Jim, whom he loved dearly; his father, Davis James; his aunt, Nora Kachlamet; cousin, Roger Clark, Jr.; sister, Antonette James; nephews, Jeremy James, Glen George, Windcloud & Whirlwind Washines, and Corey James; nieces, Naoma & June George; 9 grandchildren who he loved with all his heart, Natane, Kyal, Tabytha, Tyson ShoulderBlade-Sampson, Simon Lee Sampson, Jennifer, Jalissa, Jadyn, and Jokobe Johnson; 5 loving children, Billie Jo (Robert) Sampson, Julia ShoulderBlade (Brad Johnson), Joshua Michael James, Jonah Leander Jim-James, and his “BABY GIRL”, Michelle James who was the greatest joy in his life. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and grandchildren. Michael was preceded in death by his mother Patricia James, sister Margo James, brother Mark James, Auntie Helen Sampson and nephew Mathew George.

Dressing services were 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 7, 2010 at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato. Following the dressing services, he was transported to the Lyle Longhouse in Lyle, Washington for overnight services. Burial will be Tuesday morning (today) in the family cemetery in Lyle, Washington. Merritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.merrittsfuneralhome.com