James M. Archer, 92, a long time Ephrata resident passed away Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Summer Wood Care Center in Moses Lake, WA. Jim was born February 6, 1922 to William Archer and Clara Armstrong Archer at Longmont, CO. He was one of ten children-five brothers and four sisters. He graduated from Longmont High School in 1942. He was a fighter pilot in training at the Ephrata Air base during World War II when he met his future wife of 69 years, Joan Burd.
Upon completing his training he was sent to Italy where he flew his P-38 Lightning for 36 missions before returning to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, AZ.
He and Joan were married there on August 28, 1945. They returned to Ephrata for a short visit and stayed a lifetime.
Jim started work at G.C. PUD in 1946 as a ground man and thirty years later retired as local manager. During his tenure there, he was the recipient of the WMT Elmgren Public Service Award presented by NW Power Association for his public volunteer service.
He was active in Jaycees and Ephrata Rotary, served as Ephrata School Board Chairman, and was treasurer for six years at Memorial Christian Church. He coached Little League baseball, and was president and District Representative for Eastern Washington within that organization.
In 1993, he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary, and in 1977 entered the political ring. He was elected Grant County Treasurer, a position he held for eight years.
He enjoyed his retirement to the fullest. He loved to play golf and was a member of Lakeview Golf Club for many years. He enjoyed woodworking and traveling. But most of all, he enjoyed his family and felt so fortunate to watch his grandchildren grow up.
Their love for him was returned in so many ways, and he will be terribly missed. One grandchild expressed "we wish heaven had visiting hours", a sentiment shared by all.
Jim is survived by his wife Joan; sons Gary (Sandy), and Jim (Kathy), all of Ephrata; four grandchildren- Geoff (Elisabeth Silver) of Seattle; Kasey (Jeff Bivens) of Vancouver, WA; Becca (Ryan Doree) of Spokane; Karly (Manual Gomez) of Pullman; seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson; his two sisters-Roberta Domann of Miranda, CA; and Clarice Neighbors of Longmont, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews.
If desired, donations in his memory can be made to Memorial Christian Church or Columbia Basin Hospital. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 9 at Memorial Christian Church, 453 East Division, Ephrata. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, WA. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family and view the online tribute video at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com.