James Palmer Rhine

Obituary James Palmer Rhine James Palmer Rhine, 87, passed away peacefully at Allenmore Hospital on December 13, 2013. Jim was born on the family homestead in Spring Lake Township near Rugby, North Dakota on April 18, 1926. Throughout his life, he told lively stories of life growing up on the farm with his seven Rhine siblings and three Naumann siblings, vividly remembering the blizzards, the one-room school and the many animals they raised. As a teenager he worked in Red Wing, Minnesota doing a variety of jobs, including working at Red Wing's famous shoe and pottery factory. At age 16, he tried to enlist in the Navy as two of his brothers had, but his poor eyesight prevented acceptance. Instead, Jim headed west to join his brother Ronald (eventual founder of R.W. Rhine Construction company in Tacoma, WA). After jobs welding in the Tacoma shipyards and working in the logging industry, Jim found work with the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Henrietta McDonald, who shared her life with him in the little house they made a home in Tacoma's north end after they got married in 1948. Jim worked for seven years at the Tacoma Smelter, and as each new baby arrived out of the eventual seven, the little house grew bigger through his creative ingenuity. Later, after a number of jobs in the construction and demolition industry, he settled into a job that he much enjoyed at the City of Puyallup Street Department. Jim became an avid gardener; his bright, beautiful yard was much admired by passers-by, and he was happy to contribute ever more raspberry plants to the Holy Cross Catholic Church Rummage Sale, where he volunteered along with his wife Mary for many years. He and Mary were also regular volunteers at Pregnancy Aid of Tacoma for quite a few years. He enjoyed seeing his children excel at sports, and was proud of their love of reading and their academic successes. Jim was a humble person who overcame many challenges in his life. He overcame his long struggle with alcoholism through a fierce determination to never drink again in his 50s, a promise he kept. Never having been granted an easy way to finish his high-school education, he earned his GED at age 54. He was a master at turning reclaimed materials into new purposes long before recycling became trendy. He could fix almost anything; his mind was as sharp and as inventive as an engineer's. He always loved cowboy and polka music, and he loved cooking outdoors, creating a makeshift outside stove for family breakfasts. Never forgetting his childhood pony Olie, he was a true cowboy at heart. Jim never got to travel as much as he wanted to, but he loved sharing in his children's and grandchildren's adventures, always exclaiming over photos in scrapbooks and on Facebook. He was perhaps most proud of his grandchildren, always enjoying their visits and marveling at their adventures and accomplishments. In his later years he enjoyed living at both Point Defiance Village and Wynwood of Allenmore, always joking warmly with the people he encountered, becoming known as the Popcorn Man, and enjoying musical performances. He loved the stately trees and mountains of the Northwest with a sense of awe that never diminished. He always wanted to learn new things. He was especially interested in geology and the marvels of the animal kingdom, and he could remember information from documentaries on television with an attention to detail that was astonishing. Jim had a big heart that was always a forgiving one, an important quality to have with seven children. Perhaps his biggest gift to his family was his tender care of his wife Mary at home throughout the many years of her struggle with Parkinson's disease. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; his son, Shawn; and his grandson, Derek. His six brothers and four sisters also predeceased him. He is survived by his children, Kathleen Bertram (Thomas), Susan Painter (Dale), Jamie Davis, Marjorie Rhine (Ronald Harris), Timothy Rhine, and Orville Rhine; his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Rhine; and his grandchildren, Andrea Gaines, Naia Davis, Jason Painter, Evan Painter and Mathilda Harris. His sister-in-law, Marjorie Allen and her husband Don also survive him along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Pregnancy Aid of Tacoma, 902 Market Street, Tacoma, WA 98402. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 20, 2013 at 11:30am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003. Â