James Miller “Bags” Bagley, 73, of Spanaway, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2021. He accepted Jesus into his heart in 1992 as his personal Savior and knew when he took his last breath here on earth he would be in the arms of the Lord.
He was born on Dec. 5, 1947, in Aberdeen, Washington to Norman and Juanita Miller Bagley.
Jim was a graduate of Hoquiam High School, from the “infamous” Class of 1966. After graduating, he was drafted into the Army where he served for three years. He was a combat veteran of Vietnam.
Jim married Barbara Hildebrandt-Sulkosky in 1991. They were buddies all through junior high and high school. They reconnected at their 25th class reunion in 1991, and were married just a few months later.
Jim was a third generation Hoquiam Police Officer, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. After retiring from the police department, he worked for the Hoquiam, Sumner and Bethel School Districts as a security guard.
He was an avid Hoquiam Grizzly, UW Football, Seahawk, and Mariner’s fan. He was a life-member of the Hoquiam VFW Post 1135. He was a proud, lifelong Democrat.
Jim loved coaching sports, traveling, collecting antiques, painting and researching his family history. He was his happiest when he was attending family gatherings.
Jim is survived by his wife Barbara, his son Brian Bagley of Walla Walla, his daughter Lisa Bagley-Cross of Hoquiam; his children-of-the-heart: Nancy Sulkosky-Roberts, and Bob Sulkosky; his sister: Cheryl Mahler of Aberdeen; his three grandsons, nine granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mike Bagley.
The family would like to thank his granddaughter, Summer, for her constant kind and considerate help during his final days.
There will be a public viewing on Monday, May 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary, 220 134th Street South, Tacoma, WA. A private ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 25, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. There will be a celebration of life at the Hoquiam VFW on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 1 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington.
To a leave a thought for the family, you may go to www.dryermortuary.com
