James W. Bichsel

Obituary James Walter Bichsel, Sr. James Walter Bichsel, Sr., a wonderful husband of 63 years and a loving father to nine children, died peacefully Sunday morning (August 1, 2010) in the home where he had lived for over 50 years. He lived a rich and full life accented by an enormously generous spirit. Born May 7, 1924 in Tacoma to George and Sarah Bichsel, Jim attended Holy Rosary School then Bellarmine Prep, where he was student body president, lettered in football, baseball and basketball, and was an accomplished boxer. He also was named Most Popular Boy (now Mr. Bellarmine) in his senior year. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served with distinction as a Radioman Third Class in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was present at the Battle of Iwo Jima and the attack on Okinawa. He received the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal (2 stars), the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Jim returned to Tacoma following the war, and on St. Patrick's Day 1947 married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Barbara Jean McIver. In 1948, Mark (Carol), the first of Jim and Barbara's nine children, was born. Mark was followed by Bill (Cheri), James (Linda), Laurey (Steve), Terry (Debbie), Joanie (Jackson), George, Elizabeth (Phil) and Marianne (Wiley). All nine survive Jim, as well as his 20 grandchildren. The day before he died, Jim was especially happy and spent several hours talking to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews at a summer family gathering. He also is survived by brothers John, Tom and Bill SJ. He was preceded in death by his brothers Bob and Dick, and his only sister, Mary Theresa. He used the GI Bill to attend Seattle College (now Seattle University), where he earned a degree in chemical engineering. He returned to Tacoma where he began a 35-year career with Hooker Chemical. Big Jim remained active in retirement. He was a regular volunteer washing dishes at St. Leo's Hospitality Kitchen, where he also served as a member of the Board of Directors. He opposed nuclear weapons and protested against them as part of Ground Zero. More than anything else, Jim was known for his graciousness toward everyone he met. He had an enormously positive spirit and welcomed everyone with a huge, genuine smile. At Jim's request, services will be limited to family. Condolences may be offered online at www.GaffneyCares.com . Jim asked that those wishing to remember him to make a donation to the Food Connection address: 1323 S. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405. Irish Blessing If tears could build a stairway And memories were a lane We would walk right up to heaven And bring you back again. No farewell words were spoken No time to say goodbye You were gone before we knew it And only God knows why. Our hearts still ache in sadness And secret tears still flow What it meant to lose you No one will ever know. But now we know you want us To mourn for you no more To remember all the happy times Life still has in store. Since you'll never be forgotten We pledge to you today A cherished place within our heart Is where you'll always stay. We love you Pop.