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James Curtis Waters, 88, born December 2, 1924 in Everett, Washington, passed away Monday, April 1, 2013 in Puyallup, Washington. A retired sea captain, our Dad spent most of his life on the waters of the world. He fought turbulent seas, angry sharks and icebergs; and ferried an endangered princess to safe territory during the dark days of World War II. The beloved leader of his ship’s crew members, loyal friend and ever faithful, he was always a kind, generous, loving husband and father to the family he adored. Raised in Port Angeles, Washington by a Navy family, Jim enjoyed assisting his dad as a lighthouse keeper on Washington State’s Patos Island Lighthouse. Dad lived a seafarer’s life from the beginning, greatly preferring a rowboat as his primary mode of transportation over any other kind of vehicle. Always mild and soft-spoken, our dad never made a big deal about his fantastic voyages, even though those voyages were undoubtedly action adventures at their very best.

After The War, he met our Mom, Verna Teslow in Grand Coulee, Washington, and when she stole his heart…he gladly let her keep it. Married in 1949, their love and joy continued to grow throughout their 48 years together until her death in July of 1997.

It’s never easy to say, “Goodbye.” Though you wish you would have listened to more stories, taken more photographs and made more memories, there is the comfort of knowing that our Mom is waiting there to greet him on the other side. Captain James Curtis Waters’ legacy lives on through us – his children: Gaylene, Duke, Janene and Marcy and his six grandchildren: Jacob, Kristen, Grace, Emma, Lauren and Kathryn.

Services to celebrate James’ life were held at Strate Funeral Chapel in Grand Coulee, Washington at 2 p.m., on Saturday, April 6, 2013. James was then laid to rest next to his beloved Verna in Grand Coulee, Washington’s Spring Canyon Cemetery with full military honors. All are encouraged to view James’ pictures and sign his online register book at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, Washington is honored to be serving Captain Waters’ family.