Obituary: Elms, James Robert, Jr.
Age 103
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Jim attended Western Military Academy.
He was active in sports and medaled in fencing, rowing, track and swimming.
Around 1936, as a young adult, he moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue work at MGM Studios with an interest in stunt work.
He also spent his summers surfing and lifeguarding at Santa Monica beach.
While in Los Angeles he graduated from Los Angeles Polytechnic School.
Jim enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He served in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1942-1944 during World War II.
During the war, Jim survived one plane crash and two near misses.
Jim married Marilyn Gates in 1942.
They raised three children, Barbara, Jim, and David.
After a construction apprenticeship, he ran a successful contracting company for over 20 years, building and selling custom homes throughout the Spokane area.
He was also a founding member of Builders Co-op and Supply.
Mid-life, he changed careers to pursue sales with Electrolux.
During his 20 plus years with the company, he won multiple national awards for outstanding sales.
He was an El Katif Shriner, member of the Shrine Palomino Mounted Patrol, a Mason, a swim instructor for Swim-co and Spokane City Parks Department.
In his later years, he was actively involved with the Inland Empire Water Garden & Koi Society of Spokane and regularly attended St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Spokane.
In 1972, Jim married Christine Sorrentino.
They enjoyed many years of traveling, skiing, walking Bloomsday and enjoying family time at their cabin on Newman Lake.
Jim enjoyed all types of outdoor activities which included hunting, fishing and skiing.
Skiing was something he enjoyed until he was in his mid 80’s.
Shortly following his retirement at age 85, Christine encouraged him to pursue his passion in sales to help pass the time.
He purchased a very small vending business and grew it into a large business with vending machines located throughout Spokane County.
He had the privilege to take a trip to Washington, DC with Inland NW Honor Flight and be honored as a surviving WWII veteran when he was nearly 100.
Jim was preceded in death by his three sisters, and his wife of 35 years Christine.
Jim is survived by his children, Barbara Quirie (Ed), James H. Elms, David Elms.
Step-children, Dianne Rainville (Bob), Tony Sorrentino.
Grandchildren, Tammi Hartung, Joe Quirie (Janna), Mikaela Elms (Jackson), Dorian Elms, Steve Rainville (Kristie), Mike Rainville (Courtney), Chris Rainville, Jonathan Sorrentino (Shalan).
Great-grandchildren, Kiah Hartung, Brady Hartung, Amelia Quirie, Alexis Wesley, Samantha Rainville, Baylie Rainville, Riley Rainville, Raegan Rainville, Ryan Rainville, Kanyon Sorrentino.
Jim will be greatly loved and missed by all those who were fortunate to have known him and experience his generosity, humor, support and kind spirit.
Service will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone, at 11:00 am on Friday, July 24th.