James E. ‘JUMBO’ London a lifetime resident of Skagit Valley passed away Monday, May 12, 2003 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA at the age of 68 years. He was born on November 21, 1934 to Robert and Olive Ball London in Burlington, WA. He attended school in Burlington and he later married Shirley Bryson on July 14, 1956 in Sedro-Woolley and they had three children Julie, Jack, and Lori. Jim began his working years first working at WRP Lumber Co. From there he moved his family to Goldendale, WA where he worked in construction on the John Day Dam and he later moved to Prescott, WA where he worked on the Lower Monumental Dam. When his kids reached school age he moved them back to Sedro-Woolley where he has since resided. He finished out his working years driving log trucks. He racked up to 1.5 million miles without an accident, driving for Janicki Logging and Construction. He loved his job and had to retire due to illness. Jim enjoyed car racing and drove stock car for ten years at Skagit Speedway. Giving up driving, he went to pitting for this long time friend Lloyd Armey. They traveled to Iowa, California, and tracks here in the Northwest. His other joy was frequent trips to Reno, but most of all he enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up. Jim is survived by his wife Shirley of the family home in Sedro-Woolley and three children Julie and her husband Scott Auckland of Sedro-Woolley, Jack and his wife Denise London of Mount Vernon, and Lori and her husband Denny Knutson of Bow. 10 grandchildren Wayne, Rachel, and Weston Hilsinger, Wade Auckland, Bob, Jonathan and Kendra London, Kristy, Michelle, and Kyle Knutson. A sister Floy Fortin of Burlington, a brother Butch London of Darrington, and a sister in law Linda London of Puyallup. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Edwin O. London and two half brothers and one half sister.
At Jim’s request there will be no services. A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, May 19, 2003 from 11AM to 2PM at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Assn. Arrangements and cremation under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Jim by signing our online guest book at www.lemleychapel.com