James Kenneth Mather

James Kenneth Mather, the eldest of four brothers, was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to parents Kenneth and Lucile Mather. He was a devoted family man, accomplished accountant, and skilled craftsman who passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the age of 84. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. James, known affectionately as Jim, dedicated a significant portion of his life to the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. He joined the company in 1974 and remained their longest-tenured employee until his retirement at the age of 65. He dedicated himself to the pipeline from its construction phase and continued to contribute long after the pipeline's expected operational period. Jim was a proud alumnus of Oregon State University and also served his country as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1961. Jim's passions extended well beyond his professional life. He was an avid sports enthusiast, coaching soccer teams during his children's youth and actively participating in the Anchorage Hockey Association, serving several years as president of the association. Later, he worked as a minor official for the Anchorage Aces semi-pro ice hockey team. He generously shared his craftsman's talents, creating exquisite stained glass windows and wonderfully painted ceramic pieces. Later in life, he rekindled his passion for wood carving, creating highly detailed and emotive characters in diverse styles, from animals to classic cowboy caricatures and Northwestern tribal totems. In addition to his many interests, Jim earned the rank of life master of duplicate contract bridge at the Anchorage Bridge Club. Jim was a lover of the outdoors, finding joy in kayaking and even constructing his own kayak, a testament to his woodworking prowess. His friendly and warm demeanor endeared him to all he met, with an infectious smile and a wry sense of humor he was an easy person to like. He was a loyal friend to his beloved dog, Zoey, and they enjoyed daily walks together. Together with his wife, Kathy, Jim explored the world through their travels, creating cherished memories. He had a special bond with his children, embarking on many adventures with them, from hiking in Canyonlands, Italy, and Alaska; kayaking the Willamette River; to harvesting apple orchards in Portugal. James Kenneth Mather leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his daughter, Katie, his son, Jason, and his grandchildren, Addison, James, and Lucy Kate. He is also survived by his younger brother, Bob Mather. All of them will hold his memory close to their hearts and miss him deeply. His loyal canine companion, Zoey, will also miss him. In celebration of his life, a memorial service will be held on Thursday November 16th, in Vancouver Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Northwest Battle Buddies, an organization that gifts veterans with professionally-trained service dogs.

James Kenneth Mather

January 10, 1939 - September 2, 2023