Jacob W. Neumiller, 82, Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2018, at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon due to complications related to lung cancer.

Jake was born June 7, 1936, in Heaton, N.D., the second youngest of 18 children born to John and Elizabeth (Christman) Neumiller.

Once old enough, he worked the family farm along with his father and siblings. Being tall for his age, he was driving a tractor by age 11 and like a true farmer had a start on his own herd of cattle by his late teens.

Jake enjoyed farm life, working the fields, raising livestock and keeping the farm machinery running. Before he could make this his way of life, his father passed away and the farm was auctioned off. Jake worked on his elder brother Rudy’s farm for a short spell before the military came calling. Taking charge of his military destiny, he decided to join the U.S. Navy.

Jake made his home in Oak Harbor for over 56 years being brought to NAS Whidbey Island in the early part of his 20-year career with the Navy. During his initial enlistment, he was stationed in Japan where he met and married his lovely wife, Kiyoko.

Jake was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island for most of his naval career being assigned to VAH-123 Professionals, VAQ-129 Vikings and VAQ-134 Garudas. He served several tours in Vietnam which included flying into the country to trouble-shoot and fix aircraft in need of repair. His Navy career also included a tour to Australia where he visited Sydney as well as to the Mediterranean where he visited Italy.

After his retirement from the Navy, Jake continued working at NAS Whidbey Island for Mercury Refueling/Maytag Aircraft Corporation, a fuels management contractor. Through his 21½-year career he was promoted several times, working the last 11 years as project manager/office manager.

He was selected as Maytag’s first Project Manager of the Year after being largely responsible for NAS Whidbey Island being awarded the coveted American Petroleum Institute (API) award in 1993. A few years later, Jake was instrumental in gathering costs and providing input for the successful follow-on contract. His major contribution was noticed and acknowledged as NAS Whidbey Island was presented the API award for a second time in 1997.

Jake was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, always preaching family first. He could be seen most mornings at McDonald’s with his crew of great friends solving the world’s problems, which included politics, the economy, hunting and whether the Seattle Mariners would ever make the playoffs again. His second love behind his family was his love of baseball. He was most noted in the community for his involvement with various baseball organizations, having a career that spanned over 46 years, from 1969 to 2015.

What started off as coaching his sons’ baseball teams led to a lifelong commitment of coaching numerous teams and hundreds of Oak Harbor’s fine young men, boys and one girl, ranging from Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion as well as being an assistant coach at Oak Harbor High School. His coaching longevity gifted him with the opportunity to coach the children of some of his early baseball players. His passion for baseball and coaching were so strong, he continued to serve as a coaching consultant until his health no longer allowed him to participate.

As much as he was involved in baseball, he also loved to hunt and was an active member of North Whidbey Sportsman’s Association since 1967. Jake was also a proud member of the National Rifle Association, American Legion Post 129 and A3 Skywarrior Association.

Jake was adored and loved by many and we will all miss his friendly conversations in which he would allow you to have your opinion, but you also knew what drove him in life.

Jake is survived by his wife of 56-plus years, Kiyoko; sons James (Julie) and Rick (Nicole); daughter Kimberley (Jim); six grandchildren; and two great granddaughters. Jake is also survived by one sister, Iola (Daryl); sisters-in-law Ella Mae and Alice; and brother-in-law Ernst. He is also survived by a niece and nephew in Japan plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved visiting each time he went back to North Dakota.

The Neumiller family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses at Skagit Valley Hospital for their care and compassion during our Father’s hospitalization and cancer treatment. Donations may be made to Skagit Regional Health ICU, Skagit Regional Health Cancer Care or Oak Harbor Wildcat Booster Club (please specify boys baseball).