James Leo Jewell, 91, longtime resident of Burlington, Wash., passed away peacefully July 5, 2016, with family by his side.

He was born in Casper, Wyo., on Oct. 10, 1924, to Dr. Leo Jewell and Susan Jewell (Dobbs). He was raised in Meridian, Idaho, and graduated from Meridian High School in 1942.

Jim served in WWII in the European air offensive (Army Air Corps), including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. He was in the 474th Fighter Group’s 430th Squadron, stationed in England, Belgium and Germany.

Upon discharge in 1945, Jim married his sweetheart Florence Shirley (a Meridian High graduate), ran one of his dad’s movie theaters (in New Plymouth, Idaho) and later became an air traffic controller, a career from which he retired in Oak Harbor in 1973.

After retirement, they owned several businesses, including Jewell & Son Logging and video stores in Bellingham and Burlington, Wash. Jim had a life-long passion for flying and owned 18 private airplanes. He loved traveling, fishing, golfing and snow birding every winter.

The kindly man who always went out of his way to help family, friends and neighbors will be sorely missed. His warm, genuine laugh, stories of the past and always caring for the other guy will never be forgotten. His kindheartedness and giving nature were the hallmarks of his life and live on in all of us who were touched and inspired by him. Dad, we were so lucky to have experienced your amazing, adventurous life. Miss you forever.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents of Meridian, Idaho, and brother Dr. William B. Jewell of Emmett, Idaho. He is survived by his wife Florence; children Rick Jewell and Cheryl Jewell-Wos; grandchildren, Adam Jewell (Tara), Colleen Jewell and Rebecca Jewell-Ocepek (Ryan); great-grandchildren, Aidan and Lily Ocepek and Andrew Jewell; sister-in-law Norma Jewell of Boise, Idaho; niece Ann Jewell-Woody (Dennis) of Meridian, Idaho; nephews Gary Jewell (Jan) of Spokane, Wash., and Professor Paul Jewell (Teri) of Salt Lake City, Utah; and cousins Karen Cornwell (Dobbs) of Parma, Idaho, and Don Wallace (Dobbs) of Ephrata, Wash.

A life celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Flyers Restaurant (15426-B Airport Drive, www.eatatflyers.com) located at the Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington, Wash.

Please share your memories of dad in the online guestbook at www.hawthornefh.com

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.