James Northup succumbed to cancer at his home by the beach in Grayland, Washington in the company of his daughters Shari Bigalk of Kettle Falls, Washington and Mary Christiansen of Lake Quinault, Washington and dear friends Joy Jones and Dar Goodman. He was preceded in death by his mother Leone Vaile Northup, father August Eugene Northup, his second wife Karen Pollock Northup, stepson Jerry Wollen (Glorianne), and long-time girlfriend Judy McCartney.
James (Jim or Jimmy as he was known) was born in Aberdeen, Washington and spent his early years on the family homestead on the Clearwater River. He attended school at Lake Quinault and went into the Navy in 1953 during the Korean War where he was in attendance during the Atomic Bomb and the Hydrogen Bomb tests in the Bikini Islands and was recognized as an Atomic Veteran. One of the highlights of his life was the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. which he attended in 2023 with his daughter Mary.
Jim married Jigger Taylor (Davis) of Neilton, in 1958 and they had two girls Shari Northup (Bigalk) and Mary Northup (Christiansen) and in 1967 adopted a son, William Taft Northup of Colorado. He later married Karen Pollock Northup and they had one son, James Boyd Northup of Shelton. He later married Ruth Middleton and they enjoyed 25 years together.
Jim never met a stranger and was born with a wanderlust that led him on many adventures and almost as many addresses. He worked for the USFS in Chiloquin, Oregon before moving back to Washington where he spent many years working in the timber industry including ITT Rayonier in Forks, Morrison Brothers in Clearwater, logging in Alaska, and many years flagging before retiring at the age of 86. His passions were hunting and fishing and he spent many years working on fishing boats, crab boats and shrimp boats in Alaska. Jim’s favorite pastimes aside from fishing and hunting were smelt dipping, clam digging, beach combing, and cribbage, often into the wee hours of the morning along with a good glass of wine … or two.
In 2017 Jim moved into the cabin that had belonged to his long-time girlfriend Judy, who passed away in 2012. They had spent many happy hours at the cabin and it is where he wanted to spend the rest of his life because, “It’s always nice at the beach.” Jim spent many hours volunteering at the foodbank and Outreach Center in Grayland, he was a well-loved member of that community which can be attested to by the outpouring of support and teary-eyed visitors. His final days were spent at home with an unlimited stream of family and friends coming to give their support and love as well as share stories of his adventures. He spent the first weekend of every August on the Clearwater gravel bar and was an integral part of the Queets Clearwater Pioneer Picnic, and many people are left wondering who will BBQ the oysters in the years to follow. There will definitely be a hole in every heart of those who attend that reunion this year.
Jim is survived by his two brothers, Tom Northup of Lake Quinault, and Dave Northup (Dean) of Seal Rock, Oregon. His four children, Shari Bigalk (Ray), Mary Christiansen (David), William Taft Northup, and James Boyd Northup. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Andrea Fields, Taylor Ringer, Danaye Henken, Christopher Christiansen, Annie Simpson, and Emma Goin. In addition he leaves behind his third wife Ruth Middleton, stepson Randy Wollen (Pam), and stepdaughter Melissa Wollen. He also has eight great grandchildren as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and many many friends that he considered family.
Jim’s service with Honor Guard was held Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the South Beach Christian Center 1360 SR 105 Grayland, Washington. The service was followed by a potluck. His wish would be that any donations to be placed with the Raymond VFW in Raymond, Washington. or the South Beach Christian Center in Grayland.
