Yakima. James Anthony Levno, 89, Father, Husband, Soldier, Teacher, was born in Great Falls, Montana in 1929 and died Thursday morning, April 12, 2019 in Yakima, Washington following a brief hospital stay. His last days were surrounded by loving family along with the gentle caring hands of the staff at Elmcroft on Chesterley Senior Living.
Jim had an active young life as he followed his military father around the world to various assignments in the US Army. He began his own military career as an airman in the US Air Force during the Korean War, finishing that career 30 years later as a Command Sergeant Major in the US Army Reserve. Jim married Doris Mae Reiser in 1953, graduated from Minot State University in 1955, and attended graduate school at Montana State University in Missoula all before moving his family to Yakima, Washington in 1957. There he began his teaching career at West Valley High School, retiring in 1989 after 32 years.
Jim had an active retired life, which included involvement in his community as a 32nd Deg. Master Mason, Past Master of the Yakima Masonic Lodge #306, Scottish Rite and Masada Shrine also serving for 9 years on the Board of Governors of the Shrine Hospital in Spokane, WA. Jim became a charter member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1957,and continued when it later became Yakima Covenant Church.
Jim and Doris enjoyed RV travel and with his deep interest in history he often combined the two during those travels. He could inject historical tidbits into just about any conversation. In recent years Jim cherished the time he was able to spend with his sons, Chris and Scot, his favorite daughter-in-law, Carolyn and his six grand and seven great-grandchildren.
Jim is survived by son Chris and wife Carolyn of Long Beach, Washington; son Scot Levno of Yakima, Washington and daughter Deeona (Dee Dee) Levno. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris and sister Jane Helmer.
Celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Yakima Covenant Church, 6015 Summitview Ave., Yakima, WA. A private inurnment will be at Tahoma Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in honor of Jim be sent to Yakima Covenant Church.
