James Edward “Jim”Arbuckle Jr. passed away Wednesday, October 12 at his home in Oak Harbor, Wa, surrounded by his family, overlooking his cows in the field. He was 76 years old.

Jim was born September 3, 1946 to James Sr. and Bernadine (Fisher) Arbuckle in Mt. Vernon, Wa. He grew up in Mt. Vernon until he moved to Whidbey Island in the fourth grade. He graduated from Coupeville High School in 1964. After high school, Jim worked at the fire station in Sedro Woolley for a short time. In 1966 he began his career as a parts manager for Maylor Ford until it became Berg Ford. His career with Ford Motor Company lasted for 35 years. For five years after that he worked for the Sherman’s on their farm in Coupeville. In 2006 Jim began working for Chugach at NASWI and he retired in 2016.

In 1967 Jim met and married Sharon Wise of Everett. Together they had four children, Mark, Kevin, Jeff, and Kari. Jim and Sharon were married for almost 55 years. Jim enjoyed farming and loved raising his cows, camping trips with his family and hunting and fishing. He was a long-time member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.

Jim was preceded in death by his son Kevin and parents Jim and Bernadine Arbuckle. Jim is survived by his wife Sharon, son Mark (Vicki) Arbuckle of Oak Harbor, son Jeff of Coupeville, and daughter Kari (Travis) Habeck of Oak Harbor. He is also survived by his brother Tom (Patty) Arbuckle of Olympia; sister Anne of Arizona and sister Mary (Ron) Sauer of Charolotte, NC; his grandsons Jeremy (Mitchiko) Demlow and Luke Habeck and granddaughters Allie, and Lacie Habeck.

Visitation was at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home, Thursday, October 20 from 3-5 pm. A funeral Mass celebrating Jim’s life was held Friday October 21 at 10 am, St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor Wa, with father Chris Hoiland presiding. Rite of Committal took place after the funeral mass at Maple Leaf Cemetary, Oak Harbor, Wa. A reception followed at Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home.