Michael Norman Jones
Michael Norman Jones died of natural causes at his Sequim residence Aug. 22, 2020.
He was 71.
Jones was born Sept. 26, 1948.
No services have been announced.
Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements; see www.sequimvalleychapel.com.
James H. McGrath
September 16, – August 21, 2020
James Harvey McGrath, officer, gentleman, pilot, sailor, natty dresser, and man of faith and commitment, died on August 21, 2020. He lived a 1000 years of adventures in the ninety-three he had with us.
Jim took delight in the escapades of life, rarely missing a chance to sing an Irish ditty or compose a toast worthy of any occasion. He was a great storyteller, and lead a life that provided plenty of inspiration for some grand tall tales.
Mostly, though, he was a thoughtful man who lived by a creed of honor and duty, dedicated to his family, his country, and his faith. His regrets were few.
He once said he was the luckiest man in the world, having experienced three true miracles in his life. The first was knowing from a young age what he wanted to do with his life, and doing it.
Accumulating over sixty thousand hours of flying time during his thirty year career in the Air Force was never a job to him. In contrast, the sky was his playground and he loved what he was doing. Long after his retirement, he still couldn’t believe he got paid for doing it; he would have done it for free. He often said that sometimes in the stillness of a night sky, among the stars, it seemed like he could feel the hand of God.
The second miracle was meeting, out of the billions of people on the planet, the one woman he was meant to be with; and, in 1950, getting her to marry him. Martha was a pilot as well, so understood and supported Jim’s need to fly.
She became the quintessential Air Force wife moving the McGrath troop a dozen times across country, oceans, and towns, making a home and an impact wherever the Air Force sent them.
Jim was lovingly supported and cherished by Martha throughout his glory days and retirement years until fifty-four years later, his heart was broken at her passing in 2004.
His third miracle seemed to surprise him. He and his bride had six healthy children who grew up to be responsible, interesting adults. He expected to love them but considered it a blessing that he also liked them and enjoyed spending time with them. To his children, he was larger than life, their very own super hero. All the love and respect he offered them was returned to him tenfold.
Jim had the distinction of serving his country in World War II, at the age of seventeen, as a radio gunner on the Navy Helldiver; in three tours of duty in the Korean Conflict piloting the RB-45 Tornado; in five tours of duty in Vietnam piloting B-52 bombers; and throughout the Cold War piloting the B-47 Stratojet, the KC-135 Stratotanker, and the B-52 bomber. He was the humble recipient of many military awards including: Legion of Merit Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Force Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Presidential Citation Award; and Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters.
He proudly flew as Wing Commander of 93rd Strategic Bomb Wing; Wing Commander of 42nd Strategic Bomb Wing; Wing Commander of 43rd Strategic Bomb Wing; and Director of Operations for 8th Air Force. He retired as Colonel in 1976.
Following his Air Force retirement, he worked in administration at what is now University of California at Merced. Here for adventure he focused on the seas instead of the sky, sailing his 32’ Columbia, Gusto, throughout San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate.
In 1986, he and Martha discovered Sequim, a place of beauty, smooth sailing, and one stop-light, and decided to make it their new home.
Both were very active in the community, with Jim taking leadership roles in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and Boys and Girls Club. He was a patron of Queen of Angels School in Port Angeles, and supported Port Angeles High School ROTC Scholarship program.
Jim passed away in the home he and Martha built, surrounded by the souvenirs of a life well lived and embraced by people who loved him. He is preceded in death by Martha, as well as his eldest child, Kathleen, a distinguished Navy veteran.
He his survived by his second wife, Gloria McGrath, as well as his sons Michael and Daniel McGrath, and daughters Patricia Redmann, Maureen Cotner, and Peggy McGrath, and fifteen grandchildren.
Funeral mass was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 9/24/2020. Graveside service followed at Sequim View Cemetery, where, with Military Honors, he was laid to rest with Martha by his side, together again to touch the stars.
Margaret Elsie Swingle
March 17, 1930 – August 18, 2020
Margaret Elsie Swingle passed away peacefully in Sequim the evening of August 18, 2020.
Mom was born on March 17, 1930 to James E and Francis (Cooper) Thompson on the family farm in Butler County Pennsylvania.
Margaret and her sisters, Janet (Johnson) and Eugenia (Korn) attended a one room school named for and located on land granted by the Thompson family near the family farm. After grade school and “normal” school, Margaret attended Slippery Rock State College graduating with a BS in Education. She taught for two years in Pennsylvania’s public schools, married Lynn E Bartley in 1951 only to lo.se Lynn in the Korean War in 1952.
Margaret made several Epic journeys across the U.S. driving herself before settling in Port Angeles to teach. It was there that she met and married Clint Swingle who brought son John and daughter Kris (Koch) to the union, sons Andy and Jim soon came along.
Margaret taught in the Port Angeles school system for twenty-one years. Retiring at forty-eight, she got her real estate license, ran a bed and breakfast. She joined the DAR and Daughters of Union Veterans, continued to be very active in Sequim’s Presbyterian Church. She cared for many elders, mentored families learning English and gardened up a storm. She loved her grand and great-grand children who found her to be a strong- willed, persistent, compassionate, dedicated, spiritual, inclusive individual.
Donations to charity of choice.
M. Jeanett Kvale Gamlem
November 3, 1923 – August 31, 2020
M. Jeanett Kvale Gamlem, loving wife, mother and grandmother was born November 3, 1923 in Leeds North Dakota. She passed away August 31, 2020, peacefully of natural causes in Burien, Washington. Born in Leeds, North Dakota to Nils and Emma Elstad Kvale. She became a registered nurse and worked at Doctor’s Hospital in Seattle for many years. She married Virgil Gamlem in 1949 and lived in Seattle, Pasco, Moses Lake and moving to Sequim in 1977. She became a member of Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church and enjoyed quilting and dominos making some truly amazing friends.
Jeanett is survived by her brother Sid Kvale; daughters Judy (Mike) Mansfield; Gail Neudorfer and grandchildren Holly Mansfield and Brad and Jenny Neudorfer. Preceded in death by her husband; son-in-law Scott Neudorfer and sisters Ann, Eva, Frances and brother Norman.
No service will be held and interment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery. Memorials to the MS Society of Washington or charity of your choice.
Jens Samuel Bugge III
We would like to honor the life of Jens Samuel Bugge III. Sam’s life ended on the morning of March 23, 2020.
His wife and children would like to celebrate with you, his family and friends, on October 4, 2020, at 2:00 PM. This will be held at the John Wayne Marina Resort at Cabins #8 and #9.
Join us for his favorite foods and music, lots of laughter and awesome vibes.
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Displaying obits 9-30.txt.
