Obituary: Fish, James Allen
He was always proud of his depression-era upbringing on the farm.
It was there he learned appreciation for a simple lifestyle, the strong work ethic that defined his life and where he developed the love of nature he carried with him until his death on August 7, 2015.
In 1948 he graduated from Nicholas County High School.
He then set off for Berea University, the country’s sole tuition-free college at the time, knowing it was the only way he would be able to afford a higher education.
Jim graduated from Berea in 1952 with a major in Geology and a minor in Geography.
Then he reported to Officer Candidate School with the US Navy in Newport, RI.
After completing OCS, he put in for Explosive Ordinance Disposal School in Indian Head, MD, and spent the rest of his military career on the destroyer, USS Holder.
On New Year’s Eve 1953, Jim’s ship was in port at Athens, Greece, one pier away from the cruise ship Excalibur.
Upon seeing a beautiful woman aboard the liner through his long glass, Jim found an excuse to visit the ship and it was there he met his wife of 60 years, Mikell Fahrney Fish.
The newlyweds lived in Paulsboro, NJ and Norfolk, VA while Jim finished his service.
Afterwards, they settled in her hometown, Spokane.
Jim worked for S&F Construction by day and used his GI Bill to put himself through Gonzaga Law School in the evenings.
He graduated with his Juris Doctor degree in 1962.
During his distinguished law career, Jim opened his own practice, eventually joined the firm of Winston Cashett, and served as Corporate Council for several organizations including the AGC and was also a founder of ABC.
He retired from N. A. Degerstrom, Inc. in 2009.
Jim is survived by his wife Mikell, daughters Debbie McWilliams (Rob), Sharon Larson (Andy), Sally Connelly and Angela Geiss (Ti); his grandchildren Amanda Walker (William), Justin Sweeney (Tammy), Casey Sweeney, Michael Larson, Anna Larson, Charlie Larson, Jacob Connelly, Trevor Connelly, Erik Connelly, James Geiss, William Geiss and great-granddaughter Teddi Walker.
He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and gardening and could most likely be found in the mountains of Priest Lake picking huckleberries and ending the day with a huckleberry daiquiri or gin and tonic on his deck.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Monday, August 17th at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 1517 E 33rd Ave.
Reception to follow at Manito Golf & Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Horizon Hospice, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery or St. Margaret’s Shelter; of which Jim was a founder.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: