James Francis O’Gara, age 66, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington.
He was born October 20, 1942 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to James and Geraldine Bryant O’Gara.
Jim grew up in Sauk Centre, Minnesota where he attended school and graduated from high school at the age of 17. In 1960 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard serving on the C.G. ship Wachusett. He was discharged in 1966.
While stationed in Seattle he met Sandra Schimke and they were united in marriage on October 5, 1963 in Seattle and they resided there for 28 years while Jim worked as a fire fighter for the City of Seattle from 1966 to 1992. For the past 16 years, Jim has resided in Sedro-Woolley.
He was a member of the American Legion, the Eagles and the Fire Fighters Union. Jim enjoyed working in his yard, fishing, traveling in his Motorhome with family & friends, vacations to Minnesota and watching football, especially the Minnesota Viking’s.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra O’Gara of the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His son, James Patrick O’Gara and his wife, Ingrid of Arlington and his daughter, Cheryl Olson and her husband, Paul of Sedro-Woolley. 2 grandchildren, Kaleigh and Connor and 3 sisters, Carolyn Traulic and her husband Eldon of Cold Spring, MN, Maureen Renie O’Gara of Waite Park, MN, and Kathleen ‘Sugar’ Pauly of La Clair, MN. 2 sisters-in-law; Shirley Remlinger and her husband, Fred of Mount Vernon and Sue Schimke and Mark Lemon of Ocean Shores. 2 brothers-in-law; Jim Schimke and his wife, Ann of Seattle and Ron Shimke and is wife, Linda of Omak and numerous special nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at United General and Skagit Valley Hospitals and Skagit Hospice for the excellent care given to Jim and a special thank you to the staff at North Puget Oncology in Sedro-Woolley.
At Jim’s request there are to be no services. Memorials are suggested to North Puget Oncology at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley or to Skagit Hospice. Cremation arrangements under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley