M.J. (Jim) Pippins

Jim was a longtime resident of Moses Lake, Wash. He passed away at the age of 80, peacefully, at his home on December 16, 2004 with his loving wife, Julie, of 31 years and his longtime dog, Buddy beside him after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim was born June 7, 1924 in Louisiana, where he was raised until he joined the Air Force to serve in World War II. After the war, he made his home in Moses Lake.

During this time, he worked for the City of Moses Lake and retired with American Potato. He married Betty Pippins of Moses Lake in 1944, and together they had four children.

He is survived by: his loving wife, Julie; his four children, Barbara Richards, Jimmy (Butch) Pippins and Gloria Robbins, all residing in Moses Lake, and Judy Pippins of Portland, Ore.; nine grandchildren, Ronelle Osborne of Moses Lake, Shawn Justice of Texas, Sherry Fair of Seattle, Wash., Jeff Pippins of Lynnwood, Wash., Tonya Kelly of Moses Lake, Mike Pippins of Moses Lake, Tosha Knopp of Post Falls, Idaho, Jeremy Pippins of Moses Lake and Josh Knopp of Moses Lake; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Jim loved to camp, fish and joke with family and friends. We will all miss his loving smile and quick humor.

At Jim's request, no services will be held. Cremation took place at the Neptune Society of Spokane, Wash. Family gathered at his house for dinner and to remember the good times, as this was his request.

Jim wanted family and friends to remember all the great times and laughs and not to mourn his death, but to celebrate life.