Obituary: Sadler, Jimmie Lee
SADLER, Jimmie Lee
(Age 69)
Jimmie passed away February 1, 2012 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.
He was born February 7, 1942 in Rogers, Arkansas to Leo and Pauline Sadler.
Jim was drafted by the L. A. Dodgers immediately after high school graduation.
Just a short time into training camp he decided to join the Navy to get an education.
The Navy indeed educated Jim, sending him to M. I. T. to study Nuclear Physics.
Because of his swimming ability, Jim was selected to train for the Navy’s Under-Water Demolition Team.
Jim’s U. D. Team of divers was sent to “Jump School” for training on being dropped from helicopters/planes and were then classified as NAVY SEALs.
He served during the Vietnam Conflict and for many years following, until his retirement from the Navy.
While in the Navy Jim met, fell in love with, and married Sylvia Larribas.
To this union were born: Cindie, David, Robert, Mary Elizabeth, and Amy.
During his Navy career, and throughout much of his life, Jim took on “2nd jobs” both to continue to learn to do more things and to provide many wonderful vacations for his family.
Jim continued to work for the U. S. Government, mostly in research and development, and was involved in over 160 U. S. Patents.
He retired a second time in the early 1990s.
He and Sylvia then moved to Boise, Idaho where Jim joined with wildlife biologists and began BIOMARK, Inc. Jim invented the tiny PIT Tags that are placed in Salmon for tracking purposes.
Following Sylvia’s death Jim married his second love, Jackie Paustian Coons, in August, 1999.
Jim and Jackie moved to the Seattle area for his last job as Chief Electrical Officer at Ballard Locks for the Army Corps of Engineers.
While in Seattle, Jim developed Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
On March 11, 2005 Jim underwent bilateral lung transplants.
Jim and Jackie were eternally grateful to his donor’s family and were blessed with another seven wonderful years.
Jim retired from the ACOE in 2006 and he and Jackie moved to Spokane, WA.
Jim received Christ as his Savior at the age of 12 and remained actively involved in church service wherever he lived.
He was an avid outdoorsman and hunted and fished as often as possible.
He also enjoyed working with his hands and made many beautiful pieces of furniture.
Jim was extremely proud of the Irish heritage his father taught him.
Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jackie; his four children, Cindie in Texas, David (Debbe) in Idaho, Robert (Lorie) in Idaho, and Amy (Mikell) in California; stepchildren, Justin (Debi) Coons, Stephanie (Rich) Klocke, Stacie Doramus, all in Idaho; a total of 16 grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy (Bud) Bagwell in Oregon, Linda (Harry) Nelson in California; and many nieces and nephews.
Two great-grandchildren will be born in the Spring.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Pauline Sadler; his first wife, Sylvia; their infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth; and his sister, Loretta Kay.
Jackie and their entire family wish to express their sincere thanks to the incredible medical staff, here at Sacred Heart Hospital, for their amazing care in Jim’s final days.
A Memorial Service will be conducted Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Heritage Funeral Home.
There will be a private family interment of Jim’s ashes at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in Jim’s memory to the Elevator Fund at Northview Bible Church, 13521 N. Mill Rd., Spokane, WA 99208 or to a charity of your choice.