James Delmar Everts
James “Jim” Delmar Everts was born on December 7, 1936 in Buffalo, New York. He passed away peacefully with family at his side on July 12, 2019 in Bothell, Washington. It was fitting, as in the moment he passed, the music playing in the background was a gospel male quartet singing “I’ll Fly Away.” After nearly 10 years of struggling with the challenges of Alzheimer’s, his long journey is finally over and he is reunited with the love of his life Caroline Everts.
Jim was the youngest of eight siblings that grew up in upstate New York. Given the struggles of his family in the post-depression era, he spent some of his adolescent years with his brother Dave and sister Gertie living on a farm with foster parents – a.k.a. Aunt Bertha and Uncle Henry.
Thanks to some financial support from the local Seventh-Day
Jim and Caroline
Adventist Church, Jim was able to attend Union Springs Academy in upstate New York where he developed into an incredible young man. While there, he discovered a love for all sports, music, and working with people. Continuing his education at Atlantic Union College, he met the love of his life Caroline DiBello and they were married on September 1, 1957 as he was finishing up his college degree in theology.
Jim started his ministerial career in upstate New York and the Seventh-Day Adventist conference office quickly noticed his incredible connection with young people. They wisely offered him the position as conference youth director. In this position he was in charge of the Pathfinder program and director of the local youth camp – Camp Cherokee. The word traveled across country that he was extraordinary at his job and in 1971 he was offered the position of youth director for the Western Washington Seventh-Day Adventist conference. So in the spring of 1971 he packed up the house and moved the family from New York to Seattle.
Jim and Caroline
Jim soon became known to many people as “Uncle Jim” as he ran the Sunset Lake youth camp and all Pathfinder activities for the state. His popularity with young and old became obvious as he was often requested to perform weddings and funerals. He was a man that could easily relate to all.
Jim was known for his wonderful singing voice and amazing ability to harmonize in spite of very little formal training. He was also known for his wonderful sense of humor and ability to make people feel better about themselves. He had a love for animals. He had great devotion for his pets that gave him love and comfort. He talked to his pets and for them as well.
Jim is survived by his three children whom he adored: His first son, Dan (m. Jeanne) and grandchildren Ryan (m. Becca and great-granddaughter Elise) and Kristen (m. John). Second son, Mark (m. Will) and grandchildren Zachary and Elias. Last but not least his daughter LeAnn (pups Jack and Charlie) who made sure that up until the day he passed into the beyond that his hair was always cut and his face cleanly shaven. He is also survived by his older brother Dave (m. Joan).
The family wishes to express their thanks to the incredible caregivers at the Chateau at Bothell Landing as well as Evergreen Hospice of Kirkland, Washington. They did a wonderful job of making the last years of Jim’s life as comfortable as possible.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider WWUJD (What Would Uncle Jim Do). He was a man that was always putting others first. Consider passing along his legacy by doing random acts of kindness for those in need. This would make him smile as he was always looking to help others and would want that to continue.
If you feel compelled to make a donation in his memory, please consider one of the following organizations or a charity of your choice:
Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (www.alzwa.org) or (www.uwadrc.org)
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (www.ccfa.org)
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org)
Evergreen Hospice Center, Kirkland, WA (www.evergreenhealth.com)
Jim will be greatly missed, always loved, and forever in our hearts! We are all better for having known him and having him in our lives.