OBITUARY for JAMES LEE “JIM” DAY

After a valiant battle against COVID, James Lee “Jim” Day died peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2021, with two of his loving family by his side.  He was 76 years old.

Always an independent spirit, Jim was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1944 in Linton, Indiana to Avanell Bartlett and Harold Hubble.  He graduated with the Class of 1962 from Marshall High School.

Jim proudly served his country in the US Navy, and retired 1991 as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW04) and honorably discharged after 29 years.  Over many ensuing years, he very much enjoyed the comradery of his fellow submarine veterans from across the country at annual reunions, sharing countless stories and memories of their time aboard the USS Mariano G. Vellejo SSBN 658.  Frequently he proudly took his grandson(s) with him to experience this living history.  After his military retirement in 1991, Jim started his journey at Hanford, first with Westinghouse, then Kaiser, Fluor, and DynCorp finishing up his 2nd attempt at retiring from Mission Support Alliance in 2011. As Jim would often say “When the work is done it’s time for fun” and that’s when Jim became a “full-time Papa,” with all his “spare time” he worked with delight at making his grandchildren happy and proud! 

Jim left smiles wherever he went.  Devoted to his faith, family and friends, he had a kind heart and expressed in tangible ways his genuine care for others, willing to lend a helping hand even in mundane ways like maintaining sprinklers for the cold winters to ensure lawns and gardens functioned properly as the seasons changed. As a Worthy Brother (literally and religiously), Jim was dedicated to his civic duty and ministry with the Catholic Parish of the Holy Spirit and to his brothers and sisters in the Knights of Columbus.

Jim absolutely lived for his daughter Brandi and for ALL of his favorite grandchildren and great-grandchild.  He so enjoyed being a fulltime Papa, attending all the huge milestones in their lives, including school events, football games, Takuwan Do belt achievements, music concerts, and transporting his granddaughter Aleeah to and from school (especially their DQ dates and her First Communion). Indeed, Jim was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather – a rich and true legacy.

Over the years, Jim was a HUGE supporter of education.  A graduate of Chapman University in California and nuclear power school, he strived to always learn something more and loved reading books (especially war histories), watching the news, virtually competing on Jeopardy, and listening to classical and jazz music while kicking back in his recliner and reciting the Rosary.  He was a natural teacher, whether instructing other power operators or helping grandkids solve math problems.  He delighted in assisting in their history and science projects (especially the roller-coaster made out of paper) and even claimed to have earned a number of A-grades!

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, wife Patricia Day, and grandson Chase James Farrah.  He is survived by his daughter Brandi Farrah, grandsons Jaden Scheuerlein and Jaxon Farrah, granddaughter Aleeah Farrah, and great-grandson Hunter Scheuerlein.  He is also survived by stepsons Jim (Kendra) Poole and Jeff (Kristi) Poole, sisters Beverly (Dennis) Walston, Diane (Steve) Shaw, Phyllis Anderson, and Nancy (Keith), and brothers Scott (Marsha) and Bruce (Val).

A memorial service for Jim will be held at Einan’s at Sunset in Richland on February 22nd 2021, followed by graveside committal service with full military honors.  The family is so grateful for the tremendous love and support extended to them over the past few weeks as they cared for Jim and now release him into God’s eternal care and keeping.