James "Jim" Leroy Jansen

James Leroy Jansen  6.4.1946-11.3.2023

James Leroy Jansen, 77, passed away peacefully in Sunnyside on November 3, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many. He was a humble servant to his Lord, church, school, and the community of Sunnyside where he was born and raised.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Bernard Jansen, and his mother, Lillian Schilperoort Jansen.

Jim is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Marcia; his sons, Travis (Beth) of Sunnyside, WA, Darek (Elizabeth) of Ada, MI, Damon (Nicole) of Richland, WA; grandchildren Bode, Sawyer, Elspeth, Rowan, Ava, Colin, Maia and Luke; siblings Bernie (Laree) of Kimberly, ID, Elizabeth Gates of Sunnyside, WA, Barbara Hooee of Sunnyside, WA, Harmon (Becky) of Prosser, WA; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1964. He received his AA from YVCC. Jim met Marcia, a schoolteacher, following an injury from a tractor accident. Her students made get-well cards for him and she delivered them to his hospital bed. They were married in 1968.

His first love was farming, but he settled for hobby farming and large scale gardening. He and Marcia raised 3 boys, as well as goats, pigs, sheep, and cows. He went on to work for his dad at Wm. B. Jansen Construction for over 20 years. He then took a maintenance job at Sunnyside Public Schools and later became the Custodial Supervisor until his retirement.

He was an active, lifelong member of the Sunnyside Christian Reformed Church. He served as deacon and sang in the Men’s Chorus. He served on the School Board for the Sunnyside Christian School and even taught woodshop for a semester. He spent much of his retirement in his shop, creating wooden cars and puzzles, as well as metal artwork of fish, quail and roosters. He sold his wares at holiday bazaars and donated many to worthy causes, but his real passion was for the people he met along the way.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the Sunnyside Christian Reformed Church. Charitable donations may be made to the Sunnyside Christian High School Ag/Woodshop Building in Jim's honor. Those wishing to sign Jim’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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