James E. Uecker

The Wenatchee Valley lost a civic minded citizen on September 23, 2010. James Ewart "Jim" Uecker was born on July 7, 1921, in Wenatchee, WA, to Jean K. and Ernest J. Uecker. He was raised in Cashmere, WA, with his brother, Thomas and sister, Marnell. After graduating from Cashmere High School, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, and met Anna M. Smith at the base in Roswell, NM, where they were married. Jim served in the China-Burma-India Theatre with the 443rd Troop Carrier Group during WWII until 1946. After discharge, Jim and Anna returned together, first to Cashmere and then settling in Sunnyslope, WA for the next 25 years. They had three children together, Christina, Timothy and James Jr. Jim ran one of the family businesses, Valley Tractor and Implement Co., getting to know most of the farmers and orchardists in the Chelan and Douglas Counties. After the death of his younger brother, Tom, he also took over the day to day operations of Uecker Brothers Motors Ford Dealership in Cashmere. He later worked at Wenatchee Lincoln Mercury; then he became a Realtor and worked at Huber Realty and Century 21. Jim was deeply involved in the community. He was a member of many of the fraternal organizations including Kiwanis, Rotary, Masons and Shriners. In addition, Jim served in many leadership positions, such as American Legion State Commander and Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge of Wenatchee. He also served as President of the Chelan County Fair Board four times and was President of the School Board when the current Wenatchee High School was built. In 1974, Jim married Donna M. (Shales) Rich and gained another family through her four daughters. He and Donna moved from Sunnyslope to Wenatchee, and finally to the East Wenatchee Assisted Living, where Jim spent his remaining years. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, refereeing high school basketball and coached his sons' Little League teams. Jim was forever a patriot and raised an American flag every day, as well as spending time tending his tomato plants and taking strolls. Anyone who had met Jim, will remember his sense of humor, which he kept to the end. Jim is survived by his daughter, Chris Grigg, of Ventura, CA; sons, Tim (Marti) Uecker of Beaverton, OR and Jim (Kerri) Uecker, Jr. of Richland, WA; stepdaughters, Terri (Dave) Stewart of Cashmere, WA, Linda (Doug) Price of East Wenatchee, WA, Michelle (Tony) Rice of Rainier, WA and Perri Lynn Rich of Wenatchee, WA; 17 grandchildren; and many more great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Marnell McDonald of Cashmere, WA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, in 2007. His first wife, Anna, passed away earlier this spring. Viewing will be held Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Telford's Chapel of the Valley in East Wenatchee. The Funeral Service will be on Monday, October 4, at 11:00 a.m., at the Presbyterian Church in Cashmere. Burial will follow at the Cashmere Cemetery with an honor guard detail. A Reception will be held afterward at the American Legion in Wenatchee. Memorials may be made to Cancer Care of NCW. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

James E. Uecker

July 7, 1921 - September 23, 2010