James (Jim) Swansen
James (Jim) Swansen, age 67, passed away suddenly while hiking to a fly fishing lake with five other members of the Fourth Corner Fly Fishers Club. Jim was born in Rice Lake, WI to Robert and Janet Swansen. Shortly after, they moved to the Pacific NW. Jim attended Blaine schools from 5th grade through high school and made many life long friends. He excelled in football and baseball and made All American in his senior year.
Jim and Barbara (Bezona) met and married young and for almost 50 years shared a beautiful, enduring love. He was extremely proud of Clayton and Maria, their children, as well as their wonderful partners, Mikki and Tyler. Barb and Jim became (ecstatic!) grandparents five months ago when Maria and Tyler brought Westley James into the world.
In 1984, with no prior experience or knowledge, Jim built their first home. A few years later he entered the carpenters union and was proud to be in this brotherhood for almost 40 years. Most of those years he worked for Tiger/Pearson Construction and he loved his fellow carpenters and “dirt crew” as well as the entire Isenhart family. His talent can be seen in many Whatcom county schools, homes and businesses. Jim was a man of varied interests and talents and excelled at everything he put his heart into. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or figure out. Dirt biking, hunting, salmon fishing, mountain biking, carpentry, vehicle restoration, pickleball, and most recently fly fishing; these and the friends and family he enjoyed these passions with meant the world to him. Honorable, calm, steady, intelligent, thoughtful; these are the words that describe who he was. He was a perfect balance and partner for Barbara.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; son Clayton and his partner Mikki; daughter Maria, her husband Tyler Hanson and their son Westley James; his mom, Janet Swansen; brothers Dave and wife Vivian, Don and wife Jayme, brother Mike and wife Laura (Schweers); sisters Joan and husband Kyle Campbell, Susie and husband Jerry Wallen; his 18 beloved nephews and nieces and eight great-nephews and nieces. Jim loved his Bezona family dearly; Diane (Bezona) and Bud Swann, Carol (Bezona) Woodward, Jerry and Marsha Bezona, nephews, nieces and the extended aunts, uncles and cousins became as blood to him.
Words can’t express the depth and character of this good man who will be remembered long after his passing and so deeply missed.
There will a Celebratory Memorial on September 11, 2 p.m., at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.
