James Mearl Winkel was born in Boise, Idaho to Mearl and Mary Winkel on May 27, 1955.

Jim was described by his mom as a 'busy' boy, which was probably a nice way of saying he was always up to something. From family stories his antics included flooding the basement to have a pool, hitting a hole in the drywall of a house that Mearl was building, because he couldn't remember what was in there, packing a pipe with gunpowder, capping it off and lighting it. Thankfully, the pipe was lit on the porch, but they did need a new door afterward. That was probably the first 'explosion' he created, but not the last! He did become much safer however!

He was also very inquisitive. Taking things apart to see how they worked, trying to put them back together (a much harder task than taking them apart!). His father Mearl encouraged and nurtured that interest and soon he was very skilled and confident with nearly anything mechanical, cars, motorcycles, constructing buildings. He became very skilled working with refrigeration and installing potato storage humidity and cooling systems which became a career for roughly 30 years. He even once fixed a printing press for a friend. Even though he'd never seen one, by looking at it and applying all the principles he'd learned over the years, he got it done.

He liked the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and trapshooting. He went on many bird hunting trips with his dad and friends in Eastern Washington with black labs he'd trained, as well as years of annual fishing excursions in Neah Bay. He loved catching the 'big fish'. Once on a bass fishing trip in Kennewick, he caught a fish and said, "This is the bait, let's go to the ocean and catch something big!" In his younger years, he enjoyed riding dirt bikes, and he was on the ski patrol. His family had a cabin on Snoqualmie Pass at Lake Kachess and they spent a great deal of time there when they could, summer for fishing, and hiking. Winter for snowmobiling and spending time with family.

While living and working in Tri-Cities, he met his love, Laura Wynecoop through trapshooting. They both worked during the week and enjoyed being together and going to shoots on the weekends. They were married on November 11,1989 in Kennewick. They were married just shy of 34 years and half of Jim's life at the time of his passing at age 68.

Jim had an amazing knowledge of guns, not just shotguns. He could identify firearms at a glance and then tell you a variety of ammo loads for it. He enjoyed loading shotgun shells for Laura as well as a variety of rifle and pistol loads. His wish lists for Christmas often included something for reloading or books to learn about something new.

Jim was an accomplished sportsman with many trophies to his name. Whether hunting, fishing, or trapshooting, or just at a family gathering, friends were regaled with his wit and humor. He was always smiling, making people wonder, and sometimes worry, about what he was up to.

September 27, 1997, he became the proud father of Bradley James. As Bradley got older, they would often rough house, and play games but they had to quit when the son was stronger than the father! They still spent a great deal of time together though, and Jim worked with Bradley, like Mearl had taught Jim, on all things mechanical. Perhaps a key reason Bradly grew up to become a mechanical engineer. The two of them built a 1981 Camaro together. Bradley says that Jim did not touch a thing on the car. He just guided Bradley to do the work. They also had some good times going on trips to hunt and shoot prairie dogs and other varmints, and fishing trips.

Jim is predeceased by his parents, Mearl and Mary, and by his half-brother, Robert Crowe.

He leaves behind his wife Laura, son Bradley, sister Cathy Jeffris, his 'brother by another mother' Jim Gagnon, and numerous nieces, nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.

Jim passed away quietly at home, which was a blessing considering his many ailments and hospitalizations over the last several years. May he rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday October 7, 2023 @12:00 at the Hermiston Gun Club. In Lieu of flowers, a Memorial gift to the American Diabetes Association is appreciated.