James Gordon Stoken
James Gordon Stoken, a longtime resident of Humptulips, Washington passed away peacefully at the Willapa Health and Rehab Facility in Raymond, Washington on April 23, 2023, after an extended illness. He was 92.
Known as Jim to friends and family, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and will be remembered as a hardworking, easygoing and humble person.
He was born on May 9, 1930, to Frank and Blanche Stoken in Hoquiam, Washington. He was raised and lived in Hoquiam until he married the love of his life, Joan Ellingson, in 1953 and built the family home in Humptulips, where he lived the rest of his life.
He first became employed by the Polson Logging Company at their Railroad Camp in 1946, where he worked as a general laborer and railroad section hand. He continued there as an employee after the Rayonier Incorporated takeover of the Polson railroad and timberlands in 1948 and began operating small rail cars called speeders, hauling supplies and loggers out to the camps and logging units. In 1953 he was given the job of operating Rayonier’s Hoquiam River log dump, unloading the daily log trains coming out of the woods. Jim faithfully performed this job for over 30 years until Rayonier closed their railroad in 1984. He then became self-employed driving a Kenworth truck hauling cedar blocks and product until his retirement in 2002.
Jim loved hiking in the Olympic Mountains, hunting deer and elk to provide for his family, taking yearly vacations to Eastern Washington with family, and working on the family ranch in Humptulips, putting in lots of hay and firewood each year. Also starting in 1966 he began faithfully serving as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which he did for the rest of his rest of his life. He loved sharing Bible truths and speaking about God’s Kingdom with friends and neighbors.
Jim is survived by Joan, his wife of nearly 70 years, brother Harlan (“Bummy’), sister Joyce (Burt) Johnston, sons Dale (Lisa) and Larry (Janel), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Blanche, brothers Frank Jr, and Gerald, son Norman (Kelly), and daughter Lori (Jody) Dauron.
A memorial will be held at the Humptulips Cemetery in Humptulips, Washington on May 13 at 2 p.m.
