James Melton Bender

1932-2018

James Melton “Jim” Bender of Deer Harbor died peacefully in Anacortes on April 14, 2018, surrounded by family. He was 85.

Jim was born July 22, 1932 to James and Lessie Bender in Walnut Ridge, Ark., and grew up in Southern California. He wed the love of his life, Patricia Farden, on Feb. 17, 1953. They raised four children together and were married 65 years until his death.

Jim enlisted in the United States Navy, serving on the aircraft carrier USS Princeton during the Korean War.

He worked as a long-haul trucker prior to retirement and served proudly as president of the Teamster’s Union Local #224.

Jim and Pat moved to Deer Harbor in 1993, reveling in their serene quarter-century on the island. Occasional travel took them to reunions of the USS Princeton, where he revisited his time in the service with fellow crew members and others. A fan of history, Jim was also an avid reader of many subjects, and loved the challenge of playing crossword puzzles.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and by son Danny Bender. He is survived by his wife, Pat; son Allen (Twyla); daughters Karen and Sue; grandson Aaron (Lori); granddaughters Laura (Eric), Jill, Kelli (Reed), and Brooke (Kevin); and great-grandchildren Andrew, Jacob, Zachary, Tony, Talia, Maverick, Lily, Ivy, Violet, JJ, Natalie, and Sloane.