Obituary of James H. Oliver

James H. Oliver James H. Oliver, born on June 6, 1937, died on July 27, 2008, in Olympia. Jim Oliver graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1955. His passion for media and politics brought him to the University of Washington in 1955. During the summers, he returned to Port Angeles and worked as a reporter and photographer for the “Port Angeles Evening News”. In 1959, he earned a B.A. in Journalism and Soviet studies from the University of Washington. Jim continued his studies at the University of Washington through 1962 when he graduated with a M.A . in Political Science with an emphasis in the sociology of mass communications. Following these accomplishments, he moved on to the University of Wisconsin to earn his PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1968. His time at the University of Wisconsin brought many cherished memories. Between 1965 and 1966 he served as an exchange student in Moscow, USSR. He learned to speak Russian, traveled extensively throughout the USSR and returned home with a lifetime of stories and knowledge to share. His sense of adventure, intelligence, political activism, passion for civil rights and social well-being, culinary skills, and charm captivated the heart of Judith Ann Phillips, another University of Wisconsin student. The two married November 12, 1966, in Lott, Texas, and enjoyed 41 more years of adventure, love and devotion together. After their graduations, Jim and Judy moved to Washington D.C. where Jim shared his knowledge and passion for Russian politics as a University of Maryland faculty member from 1967 to 1984. He also continued to study Western broadcasts to the Soviet Union and to the Peoples Republic of China as Project Director for contracts with the United States Information Agency. In addition to his scholarly interests, his friends and family enjoyed his excellent culinary skills. Throughout their marriage, Jim and Judy carried a subscription to Gourmet Magazine and together they would cook international meals (including dessert, Jim's favorite course) from scratch most days. Jim became a father in 1971 with the birth of his first daughter Laura, followed by the birth of his second daughter, Emma, in 1978. He was a devoted and thoughtful husband and father. He inspired a love of learning through wholesome gifts and adventures, that were as educational as they were fun. Jim also had a passion for architecture and the great outdoors. The home in Washington DC was remodeled with his direction to include skylights and a garden room that brought the outside in, while highlighting the turn of the century architecture. Jim's love for the Pacific Northwest, with all its natural beauty, lead him to return with his family in 1985. In 1986 Jim and Judy fulfilled their dream of operating a Bed and Breakfast with the purchase of the College Inn in Seattle. The antique adorned (another of his interests), historic building, practically in the UW campus had almost everything Jim could ask for. He enjoyed meeting the scholars and other travelers who passed through the Inn. He had a wealth of knowledge about the great sights to see, how to make the best of public transportation, local restaurants, and the UW campus next door. Every winter was filled with skiing and trips to the Mountaineer lodges where he learned to cross-country ski, spring and fall were prime times for him to share the beauty of the forests and mountains with backpacking and fly fishing trips throughout the Cascades and Olympics, and summer vacations were often in the northern secluded beaches of Washington. Jim enjoyed maintaining a healthy balance of meeting and socializing with new people in the bustle of the city, and getting away from everything to enjoy the sounds of nature. In 1992, Jim and his family moved to Aberdeen, WA , where he taught at Grays Harbor College until his retirement in 1997. Jim continued to receive accolades for his passion for quality education. He was often the first to arrive and the last to leave campus. He sought ways to help students both academically and civically outside of his assigned duties. He thought of new methods of making the curriculum current and relevant and assessments meaningful. He provided positive community leadership throughout his life for many in need. Jim became a Grandfather in December of 1996 when his daughter Emma gave birth to her first son, Geddy. After retiring in 1997, he moved with his wife to Olympia where he has resided for the last ten years. During this time he has focused on antique pottery, genealogy, and his family. He continued to be a valued source of wisdom for everyone in the family. He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters Emma of Olympia and Laura of Seattle; a grandson, Geddy; and a brother Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard M. and Lorraine B. Oliver. Memorial donations are suggested to Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center, 13030 121st Way NE, Suite 203, Kirkland, WA, 98034, or to the 2008 Washington Death with Dignity Initiative. A Celebration of Life will be arranged at a later date.