Edwin James “Jim” Belles, 71, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley and Skagit County, is celebrated as he went to be with our Lord on December 2, 2014. 

    Jim was born to Clyde and Eunice (Chase) Belles on December 26, 1942.  His childhood was spent in Sedro-Woolley and he graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1961.

    Jim had a long career as an engineer with the United States Forest Service.  He loved to be in our beautiful mountains and was an avid hunter and sportsman.  He raised Tennessee Walking Horses and enjoyed many hours on trails in our area and in Montana on his best horse, John.   

    In his younger years he served in the U.S. Air Force in South Dakota in the Engineering Squadron maintaining missile sites.  He served in many organizations, including the Masonic Lodge, Cub and Boy Scouting and Back Country Horsemen.

    His faith in our Lord was strong and established at an early age by his Father and Mother who helped to build the new Cornwall Church of God in Bellingham.  He attended Central United Methodist Church with his young family for many years.   Jim was a man of many talents and he loved to drive anything that had wheels, including large equipment.

    He was deeply loved and will be missed by his family.  Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father. 

    He is survived by his brother, Quentin Belles and his wife, Agusta, of Kapaa, Kauai; his soul mate, Irene Belles at the family home; his children, Mark Belles and his wife Missy of Bellingham, Brian Belles and his wife Bonnie, and Kimm Layland all of Sedro-Woolley, and his 5 grandchildren, Nicole and Colin Belles and Julia, Russell and Dustin Layland.

    A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Central United Methodist Church, 1013 Polte Road, Sedro- Woolley, WA with a reception following.  Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Diabetes Association or Hospice of the Northwest.