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Welcome to the memorial page for

James "Jim" Willis Trull

May 4, 1946 ~ January 16, 2016 (age 69) 69 Years Old
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A candle was lit by Lionel Mares on February 6, 2016 7:03 PM
Message from Tom Donnelly
January 27, 2016 12:56 PM

Gwyn and the Trull Family,
Joan, Evan and I were deeply saddened when we were informed of Jim’s passing. Jim was one of my best friends at NWRA and I will never forget him. I will never forget his warm smile, gentle manner and keen sense of humor. There are few people we meet in life who we can say, “I’m a better person because I knew him,” Jim was certainly one of those unique individuals. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. God bless, Tom, Joan, and Evan Donnelly
Message from Ben Floyd
January 23, 2016 7:14 AM

In Memory of Jim Trull

We lost a friend recently; a kind and good man who showed others the way.
Jim Trull was a faithful man, dedicated to serving others.
He was called “father,” “grandfather,” “husband,” “friend” and “brother.”

His death came suddenly and unexpectedly.
His spirit went home to be with loved ones beyond this life.

He left his loving family wondering why and feeling sad;
But be still and feel the peace in knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father’s plan.
This life, God’s plan, is part of a greater story.
Jim has gone ahead to help prepare for loved ones a place of glory.

It has been a privilege to know him, a privilege for us all.
He looked upon all with kindness and respect.
He gave others the benefit of the doubt and always saw the good;
Setting for us an example of living life, as we should.

This is how Jim lived his life; it’s what he would hope for us.
Mourn and cry, remember, and even ask why.
Then listen, pray for strength, have faith and trust.
This temporal life moves by so quickly; may we live it to the fullest.
Message from Herald Catlin
January 23, 2016 2:07 PM


I cannot believe over 35 years of traveling over the two mountain passes with little or no trouble.on Thursday they were both closed and I was unable to attend the service for Jim. Although Jim was younger than me, I always looked up to him and respected him.Since his high school days he has accomplished & acceived so many things that most people could only dream about. I was always proud to say that he was my cousin.He was a giant in the forest of mankind, and will be missed but not forgotten.

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A candle was lit by Ray Nelson on January 22, 2016 11:53 AM
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A candle was lit by Holli Brown on January 21, 2016 3:48 PM
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A candle was lit by Tom And Diann Monroe on January 21, 2016 9:09 AM
Message from Tom Monroe
January 21, 2016 9:04 AM

I was shocked when I heard of Jim's unexpected passing. I had the pleasure of working with Jim on many issues during my career at the Roza Irrigation District. One of those projects was improving the water quality in the drains in the lower Valley on the Roza and Sunnyside Irrigation Districts. Jim was one of the strong supporters of the project and we had great success in accomplishing the intended goals. Jim will be truly missed in the Irrigation Industry at both the State and Federal level. He was a very dedicated individual and I will always remember working with him. I pray God will give strength to his family and His SVID family in the days to come. Rest in Peace my friend.
Message from Nick Gonzalez
January 21, 2016 7:26 AM

I am sorry that I will be unable to attend Jim's service and pay the respect that he so much deserves. Jim hired me at SVID in 1989, always treated me with respect and kindness. We all know how intelligent and " accomplished" he was, yet he always talked to all the employees as equals. He always had a smile, a kind word, and was a pleasure to see. I will truly miss our small chats and seeing him. SVID lost a hero! I am saddened for his family and send all my prayers for you during this difficult time.
Expression of Sympathy

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An AZALEA PLANT was ordered on January 21, 2016

Message from Kevin and Ann Omta
January 21, 2016 6:41 AM

Our deepest sympathies on your loss. Jim was a kind and caring neighbor, interested in what the boys were up to and how basketball was going. His friendly smile will be missed.
Message from the John Albrecht family
January 20, 2016 7:33 PM

to the entire Trull family:
So sorry for your loss.
We heard this almost every Sunday growing up...........means more now..............
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you PEACE.”’ Peace - John

Message from Jerry Kobes
January 20, 2016 4:09 PM


To Jim's family and friends:
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We were lifetime friends, having attended high school and college together(til he went to WSU and I to UW). We shared a number of great times and memories, always enjoyed discussing engineering issues. I will not be able to attend his funeral service as wife and I are out of town.
Message from Andrea Inwards
January 20, 2016 2:06 PM

Deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. Over the years I spent lots of time with Jim in Seattle at Rotary president training and it seemed we always got the most boring and tedious jobs to do. Jim was great company and made those jobs enjoyable. There was a lot to him that didn't meet the eye and I could talk with him for hours. A gentleman and a clear thinker. A friend. I will miss him. My thoughts are with you in this time. Andrea
Message from Former Congressman Doc Hastings
January 20, 2016 12:26 PM

I was very sorry to hear of Jim's passing. During my time in office, I frequently met with him here and Washington D.C. I valued his input and welcomed his counsel on water issues in the valley. He will be missed.
Message from jean lemke
January 20, 2016 11:37 AM

I can't begin too tell you how saddened I am at the passing of Jim... WHAT A GENTEL MAN....... Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.... I will miss seeing him and chatting with him.. Jean
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A candle was lit by Glenda Gonzalez on January 20, 2016 10:37 AM
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A candle was lit by Seth, Jennifer, Elijah, and Haya Defoe on January 20, 2016 9:28 AM
Message from Seth Defoe
January 20, 2016 9:27 AM

I got to know Jim through my job at the Kennewick Irrigation District, where I worked with him on a myriad of water-related issues. Jim was always a gentleman and a rational, calm voice of reason that transcended the issues, no matter how contentious. I and many others in the water resources field looked up to Jim as a role model and a source of inspiration for how business should be carried out. He will be sorely missed.
Message from David Lester
January 20, 2016 9:25 AM

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's death. He was a kind and gentle man, always ready with a smile and a warm greeting. I knew Jim for nearly 35 years. Such a loss for the Valley and the irrigation community. I will miss our periodic discussions that always seemed to end with a hope for the future of the Seattle Mariners.
My thoughts are with his family.
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A candle was lit by Jasur Matyakubov from Uzbekistan on January 20, 2016 8:56 AM
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A candle was lit by Ann Goos on January 20, 2016 7:20 AM
Message from Seattle
January 20, 2016 7:20 AM

Jim Trull was a man of immense integrity, intelligence, and a plain, flat nice guy. I worked relatively briefly with Jim in the mid-1990s on water resource issues. In the time that I had the pleasure of working with him, I was struck by his commitment to his community, his role in serving irrigators in the Yakima Valley and Sunnyside Irrigation District. and the state of Washington. His kindness, thoughtfulness, and ability to work through issues stand out as a true legacy of an effective leader. Rest in peace, Jim - you are one of the great ones, and a person who has made an impact and importantly, led by example and influenced many with how to be a leader and a human being. May the family find grace and peace during this time of mourning.
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A candle was lit by Lisa Lewis on January 19, 2016 10:29 PM
Message from Carmela Galvan
January 19, 2016 8:53 PM

My condolences to the Trull family. Mr. Trull you were the kindest person I have ever met. We will miss your smile and jokes when you would stop by the WA office. We will miss you!Rest in peace! Carmela and Family
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A candle was lit by Cindy Boast on January 19, 2016 8:34 PM
Message from Ginny Prest
January 19, 2016 6:24 PM

Jim - You will be so missed. You always believed in the best of us. You inspired us to also believe in the best of us. Thank you sir, I will work hard to believe in the best of us. To your family - Thank you for sharing this special soul. He was one of the best of us. ~Ginny Prest
Message from John Sullivan
January 19, 2016 3:54 PM

Gwen and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I got to know Jim through the National Water Resources Association. He represented his water constituents well, with grace, knowledge and always a smile. He was always able too work with everyone when we didn't agree on issues. Above all that he was a great friend! He will be missed.
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A candle was lit by Mel & Diane Luther on January 19, 2016 3:53 PM
Message from Paul, Nora, Debbie, Jessica, Katie, & Freddie
January 19, 2016 3:50 PM

Are hearts are broken at the lose of your father Jeremy, your father-in-law Lorie, and your grandfather Isaac, Addi Kassidy. We love you all so much and wish that we had gotten to know Jim while he was alive. Know that you are in our prayers. Paul, Nora, Debbie, Jessica, Katie, & Freddie
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A candle was lit by Paul, Nora, Debbie, Jessica, Katie, & Freddie on January 19, 2016 3:46 PM
Expression of Sympathy

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An A GARDEN PATH was ordered on January 19, 2016

Message from Troy Peters
January 19, 2016 3:36 PM

I was so sad to hear of the passing of this great man. I am the WSU irrigation specialists and have served together with Jim on many different committees. He had so many leadership and organizational skills that I admired and was learning from. He was universally admired by those who both agreed and disagreed with his positions. Because of him many positive changes were made to both the water quality and water availability in the Yakima River Basin. We, in this valley have cleaner water, and better access to irrigation water because of his leadership. He implemented many positive changes. I will miss his leadership terribly.
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A candle was lit by Zandra Wilson, Samantha,Erin, Jamie,and Joey Stanton on January 19, 2016 3:10 PM
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A candle was lit by Tinker Kouyian on January 19, 2016 2:07 PM
Message from Tinker Kouyian
January 19, 2016 2:07 PM

Words cannot express the sorrow I felt when I heard of Jim's passing. I had the sincere privilege and pleasure to work for Jim at SVID. I will always remember Jim as a one of a kind gentleman with a quick wit, a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor. He had the ability to bring out the best in everyone around him and we are all better people for knowing him. Jim was a gracious, wise, humble soul and he will truly be missed by all who had the honor to know him.
My heartfelt condolences to Gwyn, his children, his grandchildren and his extended family. You are all in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.
Message from Tom & Tommye
January 19, 2016 12:36 PM

Julie, Our thoughts love and prayer are with you and your family.
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A candle was lit by Paul & Lisa Erickson on January 19, 2016 11:16 AM
Message from Walter and Linda Wierenga
January 19, 2016 10:46 AM

We were shocked to hear the news of Jim's sudden passing into eternity. Jim was a very knowledgeable, kind, and gracious man with excellent leadership qualities. I am certain he benifitted much from his involvement with the local Toastmasters club, and he often encouraged me to join that group as well. After Jim and Judy and their children moved back to the Valley, they became members of the Sunnyside CRC. Jim was elected to the SCRC Council for a term and ably served as its chairman for a year or two . As I served with him, I remember his fair and judicious leadership. I was privileged to have both Julie and Jeremy as students in my 5th grade class at Sunnyside Christian School, and enjoyed Jim and Judy as being supportive parents. I pray God's blessing on your family as you mourn his passing and continue remembering his legacy.
Expression of Sympathy

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A TRADITIONAL FUNERAL BASKET was sent on January 19, 2016

Sending Gwyn and the family our loving condolences and heartfelt prayers for comfort , Robin, John, Joey & Jack Cozza

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A candle was lit by Quiroz Family on January 19, 2016 9:11 AM
Message from Quiroz Family
January 19, 2016 9:10 AM

Gwyn,
We are so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts, prayers, and hearts. Please let us know if we can help out in any way.
Message from Don Bond
January 19, 2016 8:10 AM

Jim was a leader in all of the best senses of the word. I first met him about 1977 or 1978 when he was manager of the Consolidated Irrigation District in the Spokane Valley. From then on his quiet decency and great intelligence were obvious.
When Jim became manager of the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District he became on only a leader of the District but also a leader of the Coalition of Yakima River Basin Irrigators a group of about 35 Irrigation Districts, Companies and municipalities which represented the water rights of thousands of water users in the Yakima River Basin. Jim’s leadership was never about Jim Trull and always about what needed to be done. Jim’s quiet but substantial intelligence, his steadfastness and loyalty, his decency and good nature made him highly respected.
It was an unforgettable privilege to have known and worked with Jim. Even though it has been almost two decades since I left Yakima all my memories of Jim are still warm and extremely positive. A world without Jim in it is a lesser place than it was.
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A candle was lit by Jim and Rosalie Stevens on January 19, 2016 8:04 AM
Message from Amber Hansen
January 19, 2016 7:57 AM

I have known Jim for many years, fist through Toastmasters in Grandview and then professionally through my working at the Port of Sunnyside. Jim was one of the nicest people anyone would ever meet and his friendship meant a lot to me.

I am very sorry for your loss. The whole Yakima Valley has lost a very special person and I have lost a friend.
Amber
Message from David Brown
January 19, 2016 7:50 AM

Jim was a good friend and such an inspiration to us all and his community. He will be missed.
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A candle was lit by Jody Williams on January 19, 2016 5:32 AM
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A candle was lit by Nick and Robin Gonzalez on January 19, 2016 5:28 AM
Message from Sylvia Moctezuma
January 18, 2016 11:13 PM

Gwyn, I am soooooo sorry for your loss...My thoughts and prayers are with you and Jim's family in your time of need...May god give you the strength to help you through your loss.
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A candle was lit by Sylvia Moctezuma on January 18, 2016 10:59 PM
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A candle was lit by Neal & Robin Wind on January 18, 2016 10:37 PM
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A candle was lit by Dora (Cervantes) Daniel on January 18, 2016 9:32 PM
Message from Sue (Gilbert) Martinell
January 18, 2016 8:44 PM

Gwyn, Jim, Jay, Julie, Jeremy and families,
I am Betty (Catlin) Gilbert – Boogard’s middle daughter, Sue. We're so sorry to hear of Jim's sudden, unexpected death. Our thoughts are with all of you and with Mary Rose, Mike, and family. I’m sorry Trull cousins, that you and I only know each other through my mom, although I’ve met all of you at family gatherings, especially when you “kids” were very young. I thought I would share with you memories of Jim, because they are some of my first memories. I think I was about 3 and 4 years old when Aunt Lola and Uncle Jim (my mom’s aunt and uncle, and you kids’ grandparents) had my older sister, Sandy, and I overnight for a few nights a couple of times at their home near Zillah. This was before our youngest sister, Sharon, was born in 1964, so “Jimmy” (as we called him) still lived at home with his parents, and it was before Aunt Lola and Uncle Jim had grandchildren. For those few days, “Jimmy” was like another uncle to us. Sometimes our family would visit Aunt Lola and Uncle Jim while taking “Sunday afternoon drives.” The best memory I have of those times is while our parents visited inside the house one time in the fall, Cousin Jim raked up a big pile of leaves next to the driveway and I had a great time jumping off the wall that separated the driveway and the yard, into the pile of leaves! My grandma Ida used to tell me that she went to one of your dad’s high school basketball games when he was on the team and they played Goldendale. I also remember your grandfather, Jim, and my dad, Mark Gilbert, used to enjoy hunting together. Your grandfather was a family friend to our great-grandparents (Lola’s parents, Willis and Clara) before Lola and Jim married.
Message from Monica Almeida
January 18, 2016 8:14 PM

Mr. Trull was one of the best customers at my work that I've had the chance to get to know. He will never be forgotten and will be greatly missed. I'm very sorry for your loss.
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A candle was lit by L. Calderon on January 18, 2016 7:16 PM
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A candle was lit by Dorothy Stotz on January 18, 2016 7:01 PM
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A candle was lit by Gary and Rose Herndon on January 18, 2016 6:47 PM
Message from Gary and Rose Herndon
January 18, 2016 6:45 PM

Julie and family,
So sorry to hear about your dad and we will keep you all in our prayers.
Message from Linda Sonner Dunnington
January 18, 2016 6:36 PM

To all the Trull family I am so sorry for your loss. Jim and I have been friends since the 5th grade and I will miss him so. He was one of the best guys I know, always glad to see or talk with you, always interested in how you were. Rest in peace my friend I will always think of you. You have gone way to soon.

Message from Bob Sarmiento Sr.
January 18, 2016 6:31 PM

The Sarmiento Family would want to send our condolences to all your Family. Our Prayers are with you!! I am so thankful that MR. Jim Trull gave me the chance to be hired at SVID in 1994. Jim would always ask about my Family. He was always sincere and really truly cared about his employees and their Families!! My Dad was a great man who knew how to care for people and MR. Jim Trull had the same qualities!! The words " We will miss you" cannot ever express how We feel. May you Rest in Peace SIR!!!!!!! Thank You Jim!! GOD bless your Family!!
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A candle was lit by Scott and Amy Davis on January 18, 2016 5:51 PM
Message from Glenn Johnson
January 18, 2016 5:33 PM

I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to know and work with Jim on the National Water Resources Association Board. My life is enriched from his honesty, commitment, and passion. He always had a kind and supportive word to say, and send a smile with it.
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A candle was lit by Sandy Gilbert Erlewine on January 18, 2016 5:14 PM
Message from Dennis Browning
January 18, 2016 1:42 PM

i have known Jim since childhood. For the last 15 years we were next door neighbors. Many times we spent talking over the fence sharing lawn and garden tips or just visiting. I could not have asked for better more considerate neighbor. Very much, Jim, you will be missed.
Expression of Sympathy

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A WARM SMILE was sent on January 18, 2016

Our Deepest Sympathy From all of us at Knife River

Message from Robin McComas
January 18, 2016 1:11 PM

Jeremy:
So very sorry to hear about your Dad. My prayers are with you, Lori, Isaac, Addison & Kassidy.
Blessings to you all.
--Robin McComas
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A candle was lit by Robin McComas on January 18, 2016 1:01 PM
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A candle was lit by Ron Jan Price on January 18, 2016 11:39 AM
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A candle was lit by Renee Rodriguez on January 18, 2016 10:19 AM
Message from Cookie Shannon
January 18, 2016 9:49 AM

Jim was one of the nicest men I've ever met. Years ago, he acted as a judge at our Mock Interview Day for Jr. Miss girls. He always remembered me from that and greeted me so courteously. He was a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with each of his family.
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