In the company of his
family, James (Jim) Nannery
died peacefully in his home
on June 29, 2020. He was 70.
Jim was born in San
Pedro, California to parents
Bill and Alma (Peters)
Nannery. After moving with
his family to Washington, he
became the youngest person
in the state (at age 13) to
achieve the rank of Eagle
Scout. He graduated from Kent
Meridian Highschool, then served four years
with the US Navy, during which time he met
Kathy. They were married immediately upon
his discharge in 1972, and would go on to
spend 48 wonderful years together. After
they tied the knot, Jim attended University
of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, then served
as the PR director for Conemaugh Valley
Hospital before following his heart back
to Washington in 1978. Jim was successful
in a variety of jobs throughout his life, the
diversity of which highlighted his wide
range of skills and abilities. He may have
been most proud of being the owner and
force behind his online businesses, which he
started in 1995, and from which he retired
in 2017.
Jim was involved in Boy Scout troop
401 and the Auburn’s Youth Diversion
program. He enjoyed membership in the
Kiwanis clubs of Auburn and
Black Diamond/Maple Valley,
as well as Kiwanis’ Division
32 leadership, taking active
roles in each. Jim has been
a photographer, manager,
and mechanic; electrician,
woodsman and webmaster.
He was a poet and philosopher,
a music lover and leader.
His open heart and smile
were known throughout the
community, and the impression he made
will be felt for years to come.
Jim is survived by his wife Kathy; his
brothers and their wives Jack and Carolyn
(Taynor) Nannery of Kingston, WA, and
Wayne and Vera (Slany) Lebsack of Rancho
Palos Verdes, CA; his children Jake and
Kristen (Jensen) Nannery of Edmonds, WA;
and Kyla and Jason Galbraith of Beaverton,
OR; three grandchildren, and many nieces
and nephews. He was preceded in death by
his parents and step-sister Marsha Meadows.
A private memorial service will be
held and streamed at 11am on July 25
at Redeemer Lutheran in Fircrest, WA
(https://www.redeemerlc.org/) with an
open reception to follow at a safer date. In
lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kiwanis
Children’s Fund which can be found online
at www.kiwanis.org/give.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
