James Richard Amdal

James Richard Amdal passed away Thursday, December 17, 2009, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington with his beloved family at his side.

He was born in Estherville, Iowa, December 20, 1937. Jim attended schools in Everett, Tenino and Tacoma, Washington and graduated from high school in 1955. He joined the Navy Reserve in 1955 and went on active duty in 1956. He was stationed in Japan as an aerial photographer until 1958. He married Christine Graziano in 1960 and together they had four children and made their home in Tacoma, Washington.

Jim graduated from Ron Bailey School of Broadcasting in Seattle and moved to Walla Walla, Washington in 1970 to work at radio station KUJ. He was very active in the community and was known as “Kind Uncle Jim” after the call letters of the radio station. One of Jim’s many fetes was a contest for the “Best Made Sandwich” in town.

In 1972 Jim, his wife, and family moved to Moses Lake, Washington where he was the radio station manager at KSEM. Later Jim worked for John Deere in sales with customers all over Grant County. While at John Deere, Jim easily made all of his customers friends. Jim however missed the radio business and returned to KDRM, KBSN and also worked at KWIQ in management and advertising.

Jim was active in community theater at Big Bend Community College and had major roles in Oliver, Annie Get your Gun, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof and more. He performed along side actors such as Soupy Sales, Leonard Nimoy, Howard Keele, Edie Adams and many others. Jim enjoyed the spotlight and loved to sing. He had a beautiful voice and was a natural for the roles he had in these musicals.

Jim was a man who always made people feel special. That became even more of his mission when he became a believer of Jesus Christ in the late 1990’s. Jim was a member of Moses Lake Alliance Church and was part of the choir until poor health kept him at home. Jim was the kind of man who would give to you his last dollar if he thought it could help. His generous spirit touched people all over the basin. He had a quick wit and a playful spirit often sharing a joke that was so silly you just had to laugh. Jim’s greatest joy in life was his children and grandchildren. He looked forward to becoming a great grandfather in April 2010.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lottie and Jacob Amdal and sister, Norma Arnold. He is survived by his sister RuthAnn Walker of Frisco, Texas; his three daughters, Debbie Smith and husband Jay of Moses Lake; Kathy Amdal of Wenatchee; Mary Allen of Moses Lake; and son, James Jr. (Jimmy) and wife Tonya of Spokane. Jim will also be dearly missed by his 8 beloved grandchildren, nieces and nephews in Oregon and Texas along with cousins in Iowa.

Jim’s wish for his family and friends was that all would find peace in the love and sacrifice of Jesus – “That everyday would be Christmas and every night be Easter”.

A celebration of his life will be held Monday, December 28th at 11 a.m., at Moses Lake Alliance Church with Pastor Jody Bowser officiating.