- March 6, 1925 – May 29, 2012
James Edward Work was born March 6, 1925 in Mullan, Idaho and passed away peacefully on May 29, 2012 at age 87 in Overlake Hospital, Bellevue, Washington.
He was the third of four children born to John William Work and Ethel May Harwood. He was predeceased in death by brothers, William Work and John Work, and sister, Betty Steichen.
Ed grew up in the small, rural mining community of Mullan, Idaho where he developed a passion for work and a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures of life.
December 8, 1941, Ed was 16 years old when he tried to join the Marines and then the Seabees Construction Battalion but was turned down because of his age. Three days after his 17th birthday, he began working in the Midnight Mine and upper workings of the Morning Mine at night while attending school during the day. Ed attended Mullan High School through the 10th grade. He quit school and worked in the forest service that summer and then went back to work in the mines in August and September. Ed had the top job when he left.
He left Idaho in September of 1942 and drove to the coast. For the next year, he worked at Henry Kaiser Shipyards in Portland, Oregon. He began as a welder’s helper, eventually became a Navy certified welder and worked his way up to lead man.
In 1943, he moved to Burien, Washington and lived with his sister and her husband while working as a mechanic at McChord Field maintaining flying fuel equipment tankers. In 1944, Ed went to work at Isaacson Iron Works in Seattle welding gun mounts for military ships and at the same time worked as a longshoreman on nights and weekends until the end of the war.
January 3, 1946, Ed partnered with Ray Symes and formed South Seattle Excavating Company. He became sole proprietor in 1951 and in 1953, changed the name to J.E. Work Incorporated. By 1971, the company had 144 employees. J. E. Work, Inc. was involved in general contracting on road and sewer projects and land development throughout the state of Washington for over 50 years.
He remained active in business his entire life. Ed was a true self-made entrepreneur and his strong work ethic contributed to his life of contentment, happiness and success.
Ed is survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda Laurie Work, and their sons, James Work and Samuel Work. Also surviving is his daughter Rebecca Sorensen, son Douglas (Karen) Work, daughter Antoinette Work, daughter Jennifer Work, grandson Jason Work, granddaughter Nicole Work Strep, granddaughter Amanda Sorensen and great-granddaughter Tyelor Strep.