August 22, 1943 – November 26, 2024

James (Jim) Bergquist was born at home in Richmond Beach, Washington on August 22, 1943. He graduated from Shoreline High School in 1961. He attended the University of Washington earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He was also in ROTC and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army in 1965.

Jim worked his way through college at Sears where he met Linda in 1965. After a whirlwind courtship of 2 months Jim and Linda were married and headed to Oklahoma for his 1st Army assignment. He then trained in Texas and Alabama to fly helicopters and was off to Viet Nam in 1967. While in Viet Nam he earned the Air Medal with 15 Oakleaf clusters and the Bronze Star medal.

When Jim left the Army in 1969, he was hired by General Telephone in Everett, WA as an engineer where he worked for 30 years.

Jim loved flying and was in the Washington National Guard for 18 years as a helicopter pilot.

Jim built a vacation home on Stuart Island in the San Juans which is where he and Linda spent all their free time and in 1999, they retired there. Jim loved the island and he and Linda were involved with the PTA, Island Museum and the Turn Point Light Station. Jim also built a community water system and was the family handy man. There was not much he could not fix. He was always willing to help anyone out. He also spent many years as the mailman for many of the people on the west side of Stuart.

Jim wrote a book “The History of Stuart Island” which has sold over 2,000 copies to date.

As a proud graduate from the University of Washington Jim was an avid Husky fan. He also loved the Seahawks, Mariners and the Kraken.

Jim enjoyed cruising, and he and Linda visited many places on 5 continents.

Jim is survived by his wife Linda, son Jim Jr. (Kelly), Kimberly Plata (Darryl), Tracy Smith (John), 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Jim will be interred in the Stuart Island Cemetery Sunday, May 25, 2025, at noon.