Obituary of James M. Huggins

James M. Huggins Jim Huggins was born on November 13, 1937 in Walla Walla WA to Martin and Hazel Huggins. He passed peacefully from this life July 12, 2011 in Olympia, surrounded by his loving family - wife Cheryl and children Kristin Davis and Eric Huggins. Jim was a friend, mentor, and “helper” to many, including people he had worked with from years past, family, friends, and classmates. He had nearly perfect attendance at his grandchildren’s sporting events. Jim was also an avid fan of the Olympia Bears. He volunteered for the AARP Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and the Secretary of State’s Archive Department. He was a quiet man with a huge presence, lending his talents and expertise in many ways – helping anyone who called with a computer problem, taking team photos at all of the grandchildren’s sporting events, sharing his knowledge of genealogy, and sharing the beautiful photos he took. He kept immaculate records of genealogy research and classmate research. The grandchildren say he made the best raspberry jam in the state! Jim attended the first grade in Walla Walla. His parents then moved to Kalispell MT where he grew up and went to school. He graduated from Flathead County High School in 1955. He attended college at Montana State College in Bozeman MT and earned degrees in Engineering and Film and Television. After college graduation, Jim moved back to Kalispell and was the photographer for the Daily Interlake newspaper. He married Cheryl Insteness in 1962. They moved to Santa Barbara CA where he attended Brooks Institute of Photography for a short while. He realized then that his passion for photography would suit him better as a hobby than as a career, so he began to pursue other options. He joined Pacific Finance in Santa Barbara and was transferred to Spokane WA in 1965. He then worked for Xerox Corporation and was transferred to his beloved state of Montana. Jim found his passion for a career when he became the manager of the University of Montana Employees Credit Union in Missoula where he worked for ten years. He moved to Olympia and managed Thurston County Teachers Credit Union for several years. He became the manager of ALVA Federal Credit Union in January 1983 and retired in 2002. He truly believed in the credit union philosophy “People Helping People” and he soon became known as a fair and trusted financial advisor to the credit union membership. Jim implemented many programs within the credit union and held leadership positions in a variety of organizations including the Pierce County Chapter of Credit Unions and the Washington Credit Union League. Jim’s love of life, various interests, and knowledge of a myriad of subjects led to a couple of nicknames affectionately given by friends and associates: “The Professor,” “Huggy Bear,” and “Banker Boy.” Jim joined Tumwater Valley in his late fifties and began to work with a personal trainer. Before long, he was entering weightlifting competitions (deadlift and bench press). He won three World Championships in the deadlift, setting a state record that he reset numerous times. Above all, Jim loved his family, travels to Hawaii and Glacier National Park, and spending time with his loyal friends – his poker buddies, his golf buddies, and his Friday morning breakfast buddies. Jim will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and trusted friend. Jim is survived by his wife Cheryl, daughter Kristin Davis (Steve) of Olympia, son Eric Huggins (Samantha) of Durango CO, grandchildren Haley, Skyler, and Chase Davis of Olympia, and Fergus Huggins of Durango CO, brothers Mike Huggins (Los Angeles CA), Dave Graham (San Diego CA), sister Patty Dwight (Missoula MT), and many nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts. Memorials in Jim’s name can be made to the “Jim Huggins Credit Union Scholarship Fund.” Donations can be made at any Sound Credit Union branch or mailed to Sound Credit Union, P.O. Box 1595, Tacoma WA 98401. To leave memories of Jim or condolences for the family, please click on "View Guestbook" below.