James "Jim" Finlay

James Bryson Finlay James "Jim" Finlay, 82, passed away Nov. 1, 2013, after a brief illness in Seattle. He was born in Seattle on October 22, 1931 and was the oldest child of Bryce and Helen Finlay. Known by his parents, aunts and cousins as Bryson, he is still called Bryson by his generation of relatives. Much of Jim's family had cabins on Whidbey Island and his childhood and teen years were spent between Seattle and the island, a place where boating, swimming, family barbecues, blackberry picking and blackberry pies, seafood getting and eating and penny ante poker became legendary. In later years, Jim returned to Whidbey Island for summer vacations with his own family. Jim loved to boat and over the years had several boats that he put to good use while on Whidbey Island and also for attending football games at his alma mater. For many years, every home game saw Jim and Marie boating from their friends' dock in Bellevue over to the University of Washington where they had their version of a tailgate party before each game. He attended Roosevelt High School with his sister Janice and cousins Gregg Reynolds and Kent Renshaw. Jim met his wife, Marie Odland, at the University of Washington. They married in 1954 while Jim was still a law school student and Marie was an art student. Jim earned his undergraduate degree in business and his Juris Doctor at the University of Washington. Jim was a United States Marine, serving during the Korean War. He maintained many lifelong relationships with his law school friends, as well as many from his fraternity Zeta Psi. In 1968, Jim and a friend from law school discovered that there were no practicing attorneys in Pacific County. They quickly decided to open an office in Raymond because it was close to the county seat in South Bend. The next year they opened a second law office in Long Beach, and the Finlay family moved to Long Beach. Soon each attorney opened their own law office in Long Beach. He was a practicing attorney for 54 years with some 45 years of his career devoted to his office in Long Beach. Jim was a founding member of the Bank of Pacific and also served for many years as president for the Templin Foundation. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marie Odland Finlay; daughter Leanne Finlay of Whidbey Island; son Bruce (Amber) Finlay of Shelton; daughter Alise (Larry) Fetsch of Bellevue; son, Brett Finlay of Shelton and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Jeff, daughter Darcy, and his sister, Janice. A Mass will be held Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview with a reception immediately following in the church reception hall. A second reception will be held Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum on Lake Street in Ilwaco, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in memory of Jim, Jeff and Darcy. Sharing memories and stories, and having you join with family will help make this a festive celebration of life. Remembrances can be made to Templin Foundation P.O. Box 467, Seaview, WA 98644. His guest book is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.