James “Jim” Hall Mortimer (77), beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Monday, July 17, 2023 in Richland, WA. Jim was a kind soul that dearly loved his family and leaves an unfillable space in his absence.
Jim was born Oct. 27, 1945 in Henderson, Texas to Francis and John “Joe” Mortimer. He grew up with his 2 older sisters, Judy and Nancy in east Texas and was proud of his Texas heritage. He graduated from Silsbee High School in 1964 and went on to play football for Tyler Junior college on a scholarship. His love of football continued throughout his life; he was a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan.

In 1966 he joined the US Navy and spent time in California and Tennessee in flight and electronics training. He was based in California between multiple flights on Patrol Squadron VP-50. He primarily worked as a radar operator as the operations took him from California to the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam as well as South Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Guam. He was discharged to reserves in 1970 and moved back to Texas and re-enrolled in school, first at Tyler Junior College and then University of Houston. He worked as a draftsman and field engineer in the Houston area until he graduated from University of Houston in 1973.

In 1975, Jim’s life was changed when his employer sent him to Pasco, Washington and he met his soon-to-be-wife, Peggy Jo (Sundberg). Jim and Peggy were married in Pasco on January 15, 1977. Over the next 8 years they welcomed 3 children into their lives: Anne, Toni, and Matthew. Jim was a devoted father and was routinely building or constructing things for the kids and family including a deck, playhouse, porch swing, and tree house and supporting them in school, sports, and all the other activities . He loved a mechanical challenge, and was always working on rebuilding his Indian motorcycle or Harley Davidson. He was very “handy” and seemingly could do any car repairs, plumbing, electrical, or carpentry work. Jim also enjoyed hunting trips with friends and bowled on several leagues over the years.

Jim continued to work for contractors in the Hanford area until his retirement in 2017. In 2006, he had the opportunity to work in Bridgewater, England for 1 year. Peggy joined him there several times over the year and the two of them toured England, Ireland, Italy and Portugal. In his retirement, he spent many years restoring an Airstream trailer, shooting at the range, bowling, and maintaining his yard and fruit trees. He had regular breakfast gatherings with former co-workers that he always enjoyed. Jim loved having dogs, and in his retirement he and Peggy adopted Tippy, a golden lab that Jim doted on until her death in 2022. Most of all, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren: Vincent, Claire, Maxwell, and Elliotte. He and Peggy would often pick up the kids after school in his Mustang convertible and go for a ride. They will all miss the gentle giant that was Grandpa.

Jim is survived by Peggy Jo (Sundberg) Mortimer; children Anne Elizabeth Mortimer and Jason Bryenton of Bellingham, Toni Lynn Cuello and Elias Cuello of West Richland, and Matthew James and Victoria Mortimer of Pasco. He leaves grandchildren Vincent Cuello, Claire Cuello, Maxwell Mortimer, Elliotte Mortimer. He is predeceased by his parents and sisters, Beverly Ann Mortimer, Judy Hopper and Nancy Martinez.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Einan’s Sunset Gardens in Richland on Saturday, July 29th at 11:00 am, followed by a reception. Memorial donations can be made in Jim’s honor to National PKU Alliance (www.npkua.org).