Jim Leighty

Jim loved his family, friends and life itself.  He always had a smile for everyone he met.  He passed away on March 22, surrounded by family with the assurance that this life was only a stop on the way to being together again with God.

Jim was born on May 25, 1930, in Columbia Falls, Montana, the 14th of 20 children of Bradford and Pearl Adams Leighty. When his father died, 17-year-old Jim, as the oldest son at home, took over managing the farm for his mother and siblings.  Each morning he milked cows before boarding the bus to Flathead High School where he was involved in Future Farmers of America.  After graduation, he was elected as President of the Montana FFA and toured the state speaking on a variety of farming issues.

When his younger brother took over the family farm, Jim moved to Washington to work on Chief Joseph Dam.  He started as a laborer and quickly moved up to become a carpenter.  After the project was completed, he moved to Seattle to work on the 1st Avenue South Bridge and the World’s Fair.  During this time, his friend John talked him into a blind date with his fiancée’s (Donna) PLU roommate, stating “neither of you want a serious relationship, but you would have a lot of fun together”.  Those two non-serious people, Jim and Ann, married within a year in 1962 and began a life filled with love, laughter and fun.  The next two years they attended a small missionary Lutheran church in Tacoma where they volunteered as youth leaders.  

In 1964, they moved to Roseburg, Oregon, where Ann had a teaching contract.  Jim easily found work as a carpenter and quickly moved up to foreman and then to project superintendent on the county fairgrounds and other sites.  During those years, a son Jim and a daughter Julie were born.  Jim built a new house for the family in six months by working evenings and weekends with the welcome help of his father-in-law George.

In 1974, the traveling years started for the family as Jim’s employer sent him on new projects with family moves to Newport and Astoria, Oregon.  He supervised the building of condominiums, detention centers, and National Guard armories among other projects.  Jim spent many, many happy hours fishing for steelhead and trout in Oregon streams.

In 1983 the family made its final move to University Place where he spent the next two years supervising the construction of the Pierce County Jail.  Over the following years he built Bates Voc/Tec, Gatzert Elementary in Seatle, Gig Harbor’s Fosdick Medical Center, University Place Care Center and a variety of other projects in the area.  In retirement, Jim helped with construction projects at Christ Lutheran and Mt. Cross Lutheran churches, and various projects for family and friends.

Jim took great pleasure in a lifetime of volunteering both during his working and retirement years.  While still working he served as a Boy Scout leader, helped with the youth group at church, and was a member of the church council.  He built a portable pine derby track that was used by Boy Scout troops all up and down the Oregon Coast.  During retirement, Jim and Ann spent many hours volunteering at Families Unlimited Network food bank, and Christ Lutheran and Mt. Cross Lutheran churches. 

In retirement, Jim was always active.  He enjoyed reading, baking pies, working in the garden, daily workouts at the YMCA, and walks with Ann at Chambers Bay.  He loved babysitting his beloved grandson Zach, helping the toddler master power and hand tools.  Jim liked all Seattle sports, but especially the Mariners.  Jim and Ann had M’s season tickets for many years, traveled to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, to see Edgar Martinez’s induction, and served as “red shirt” volunteer ushers at spring training in Peoria, AZ for 13 years.  He enjoyed traveling with Ann, with trips to Europe, Central America, and all 50 states, including frequent trips to Kauai.  Jim and Ann took many road trips around the Pacific Northwest, drove coast-to-coast across the US and Canada, and explored the length of the Alcan Highway.  Wherever he was, Jim would interact with locals. Language was never a barrier as his big smile, laughter, sense of humor, and love of everyone always opened doors to communication.

Jim is survived by wife Ann, son Jim (Jayne) Leighty, daughter Julie (Rick) Durst, grandson Zach Lang, and sisters Violet and Ardith.  Memorial Services will be held at Mt. Cross Lutheran Church in University Place, WA, on April 18, 2026 at 11 a.m.  For those who wish to mark the occasion, please consider a donation to YMCA, Families Unlimited Network food bank, or your favorite charity, in lieu of flowers. 

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