James William Neiworth, 83, of Aberdeen passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. James was born Nov. 6, 1935, in Hoquiam to Henry and Helen Neiworth.

In elementary school, James attended St. Mary’s in Hoquiam and served as an altar boy, eventually becoming Knight of the Altar. He attended Hoquiam High School, where he was a stand-out basketball player and graduated in 1954.

After graduation he worked in Alaska because of a mill strike on the Harbor. He worked as a longshoreman and at the Ketchikan pulp mill.

Once he was drafted, he served stateside in the Army until 1958. After his discharge he worked at Grays Harbor Veneer, where he met Lorna. The two were wed Feb. 7, 1959. They were married for 60 years.

During their marriage he worked for Grays Harbor Plywood, which eventually became Evans Products. He became Quality Control for the mill, and he travelled to many states and Canada demonstrating how best to use the mill’s products and how to improve the quality of plywood production.

He loved the outdoors, especially the Olympic Peninsula. He hunted, fished, dug clams, hiked and camped all over the Peninsula and Alaska. Each year the Neiworth family would gather at Kalaloch for a reunion. One of the things he loved most was hiking in the Hoh Rainforest, and he especially loved the Spruce Trail.

At home, James enjoyed tending to the yard, taking care of the house and woodworking. He made several heirloom pieces of furniture for his family, including a cradle for his first granddaughter, Emma. He deeply loved to play Santa Claus for all his grandchildren.

James also relished listening to music and reading historical fiction. Bob Dylan was his favorite singer-songwriter, and he enjoyed reading novels that captured the history and spirit of the West.

During his retirement, James and Lorna travelled in the United States and Europe. The visited many significant historic sites and parks. They drove to Alaska together, and they visited many countries in Eastern Europe.

He was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen. He was a member Knights of Columbus, where he attained the 4th degree and served as Grand Knight. He also worked with the Legion of Mary, with feed the hungry, and as a eucharistic minister.

He is survived by his wife, Lorna, his three daughters, Latrissa, Julie and Angela, one son, James Joseph and a brother, Rick. Those that preceded him in death include his mother, father, three brothers, Don, Ken and George, and one sister, Patricia.

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.