James (Jim) Strum, beloved husband and father, went home to be with the Lord on June 11. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his wife and children with a recording of his father’s old-time gospel quartet singing in the background.

Jim was born in Seattle on Feb. 12, 1939 to Ellen and Ingman Strum, owner of Junction Cabinet. He grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1957. Summer days were spent with his lifelong friend, Craig McSorley, on the shores of Hood Canal in Poulsbo. He met the love of his life, nursing student Jeannie Connolly, at a Christian youth rally. They were married in 1960 and enjoyed 54 years of marriage, raising two sons, Jim and Bob, and two daughters, Carol and Julie.

After completing Army basic training, Jim was stationed in Alaska with his new bride, working for the fledgling Alaska Communication System. He later secured employment working for the U.S. Navy at Keyport Engineering Station  and, later, Bangor.

Jim and Jeannie raised their children at the same spot on Hood Canal were he’d spent his boyhood playing. While working full-time and raising a family, he earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in program management.

Jim and Jeannie were very active in their local church, Gateway Christian Fellowship, for more than 35 years, serving on the board and volunteering his time and talents to his favorite ministry — missions.

Jim is survived by his wife, Virginia (Jeannie) Connolly Strum; four children, Jim and Lisa Strum of Lynnwood, Bob and Marianne Strum of Poulsbo, Carol (Strum) and Ron McClung of Poulsbo, and Julie (Strum) and Samuel Pennoyer of Kingston; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and brother, Dr. Richard Strum.

He was preceded in death by grandsons, Gunnar Strum and Hayden Strum.

Jim’s greatest joy in life was to share God’s Word. Memorials may be made to Kidzana Ministries (www.kidzana.org).

A service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at Gateway Christian Fellowship (www.gatewayfellowship.com) on June 20 at 11 a.m.

— Family of James (Jim) Strum