James Elmer Wommack, age 79, died Monday afternoon, July 19, 2010 at his home in Clarkston, WA.
Jim was born November 6, 1930 in Walla Walla, WA and adopted as an infant by Carl and Myrla Goodell Wommack. He grew up in Pasco, WA where he attended school until his senior year when the family moved to Bonners Ferry, ID. He graduated from Bonners Ferry High School May, 1948. He attended the University of Idaho for a couple years before joining the Navy in 1952. He was stationed at Port Hueneme, CA and later spent a year and a half in the Philippine Islands as a heavy equipment operator, Seebea Mobile Construction Battalion #2. They pushed the mountain into the sea to build the Subic Bay Naval Air Base. He was discharged from the Navy, November 1955 and returned to Idaho to drive truck building the Noxon Rapids Dam in Montana. In the fall of 1957 he returned to the University of Idaho obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Dairy Science, May, 1959. After graduation, Jim went to work for Sandpoint Dairy Products in Coeur d’Alene, ID and transferred to the main plant in Sandpoint fall of 1959. The family moved to Spokane, WA in June of 1961 where Jim started work for the Washington State Department of Agriculture as a Dairy and Locker Inspector. He became a Field Supervisor of the Division in 1971 and transferred to Olympia, WA. Jim was promoted to Chief of the Dairy and Food Inspection Section in 1973, Assistant Supervisor of the Division in 1974, and Assistant Director of the Department of Agriculture in 1981. He was in charge of the Dairy and Food Inspection Section, Egg Inspection, and Weights and Measure. He retired January, 1989 with 30 years of service with the State and the Navy.
Jim married Gladys Jones of Genesee, ID. on June 14, 1958. Daughter Kathryn was born 1959 in Moscow, son Carl was born 1960 in Sandpoint, ID and son Kyle was born 1961 in Spokane, WA.
Jim served on the Washington State Dairy Commission. He was a member of the Western Association of Food and Drug Officials and served as their President in 1982, and the National Association of Food and Drug Officials serving as their President in 1983. Jim was a 32 degree Mason and a Life Member of the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Sandpoint, ID, active in the Seabee Reunion Association, and a member of the Bonanza Society. Jim was a Lifetime Member of the Spokane Gun Club and served as their president.
Jim obtained his Private Pilots License on his 50 birthday and owned a Beech Bonanza, 1020W took them far and wide and provided several trips to Palmas de Cortez, Baja California, Mexico.
After retirement, the Wommacks became full time RVers and spent 13 years traveling these Great United States visiting almost all 50 before health issues no longer permitted extensive travel. They bought a home in Roadhaven Resort, Apache Junction, AZ and divided their time spending winters in Arizona and summers at some fishing hole mostly in Montana. Jim was an avid fly fisherman – his Motto "Born to Fish, Forced to Work!" He enjoyed big game hunting, game bird hunting and deep sea fishing whenever possible. He was active in Indoor Rifle Shooting and then became an avid trapshooter. He tied for first place in the Golden West Grand Trap Shoot in Reno, NV. He became an avid golfer after retirement and was very active working with the Men’s League at the resort in Arizona. He was a rock hound and spent many hours in the Lapidary.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Gladys, at their Clarkston home, daughter, Kathy and Frank Thomas of Brush Prairie, WA, sons, Carl and Laurie Wommack of Moscow and Kyle and Donna Wommack of Genesee. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Patrick, Andie, Brett, Kenneth, Jennifer and Klair as well as a sister, Carol Cooke of Jerome, ID. "Poppy Jim" will be sorely missed by all!
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow. A luncheon reception will follow at The Sandpiper Grill.
Memorials are suggested to: the James E. Wommack Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Idaho.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
