James Robert Moergeli

Obituary April 27, 1915 - November 29, 2011 James (Jim) is survived by two children, James R. (Sandy) Moergeli, Jr. and Carol Ann (Greg) Rath. He left four grandchildren: Michelle Marie (Paul) Gerbyshak, Laura Lee (James) Feider, Ann Marie (Ron) Voves, and Patrick (Tracy) Rath. He loved and laughed with his eight great grandchildren: James Paul, Sarah, and Katie Feider; Ryan and Anthony Voves; Tessa Rath; and Michaela and Luke Gerbyshak. He was preceeded in death by his two sisters, Mary Jane Dzurick and Beverly Kelly. Jim was born on April 27, 1915, in Gig Harbor, to Robert E. and Evelyn Moergeli. He was the oldest of three children. The family later moved to a farm in Enumclaw. After graduating Enumclaw High School in 1933, Jim worked in logging for a year. He attended and graduated from Washington State College in 1938 with a degree in Agriculture Vocational Education. Upon graduation, Jim taught five years at Kent Meridian High School. He married Marie Emma Hottott in 1940 at Holy Rosary Church, Tacoma. They were married for 65 years until her death on April 23, 2005, and lived in Kent until 1950 when they moved to Tacoma. He had a partnership with two other men at Shaffer Ford Tractor in Seattle. Jim, also, worked for four years at Buck and Sons Tractor Co., in Tacoma. In 1955, Jim and Harold Flowers formed Evergreen Equipment Co. They sold Massey Harris Farm and Industrial Equipment, along with chainsaws. After 27 years in business, Jim retired in 1980. Jim and Emma sold their home in Tacoma in August 2004 and moved to Narrows Glen. While living at Narrows Glen, Jim enjoyed gardening and wonderful friendships. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Nicholas Church will be Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11:00 am. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Placid's Priory, Olympia, or St. Nicholas Catholic School, Gig Harbor.