James Victor “Jimmy” Laakso, 73, a three year resident of Aberdeen, passed away in the loving arms of his family at an Aberdeen convalescent center Sunday, October 21, 2018. He was born in Silverton, Oregon March 5, 1945, the son of Paul Victor and Phoebe Rose (Russell) Laakso.
Jimmy came with his family to Winlock at the age of 5 and graduated from Winlock High School in 1963. He served in the US Army from 1968-70 including time in Viet Nam. He had been a chef most of his working life with maritime service on fishing vessels in Alaska and then aboard scientific research ships under the auspices of Crowley Maritime Corp. of Seattle.
As a young man he travelled in Europe and Mexico. Later between ship-board duties he would spend more time in Mexico where he met Mercedes Zamudio. They would marry on February 20, 2001.
He was a member of the Inland Boatman’s Union of Portland, Oregon. He liked to dance, play cribbage, beach comb, searching with his metal detector and driving his 4-wheeler. In some of his off days from ships he painted the Washington Co-op building in Winlock. At other times off from the ships he would take needed supplies and clothing to the people on Stone Island off Mazatlan where he and Mercedes made their home.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Mercedes, on Stone Island, Mazatlan, Mexico; a daughter: Phoebe Rose Laakso, and a step-daughter Ana Maria Acosta, both of Stone Island; three sisters: Judy Roggy and Janice (Stephen) Marks, both of Montesano and Jeannie (Lewis) Legat, Coupeville, WA; a brother: Jerry (Connie) Laakso, Bellingham; and a granddaughter: Chrissanna Mareno, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at 1 PM Sunday, November 11th at the Olequa Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St., Winclock, WA. Private inurnment will take place in the Laakso family section in the Winlock Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to the Olequa Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St., Winlock, WA
A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Laakso, please visit our flower store.
Jimmy came with his family to Winlock at the age of 5 and graduated from Winlock High School in 1963. He served in the US Army from 1968-70 including time in Viet Nam. He had been a chef most of his working life with maritime service on fishing vessels in Alaska and then aboard scientific research ships under the auspices of Crowley Maritime Corp. of Seattle.
As a young man he travelled in Europe and Mexico. Later between ship-board duties he would spend more time in Mexico where he met Mercedes Zamudio. They would marry on February 20, 2001.
He was a member of the Inland Boatman’s Union of Portland, Oregon. He liked to dance, play cribbage, beach comb, searching with his metal detector and driving his 4-wheeler. In some of his off days from ships he painted the Washington Co-op building in Winlock. At other times off from the ships he would take needed supplies and clothing to the people on Stone Island off Mazatlan where he and Mercedes made their home.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Mercedes, on Stone Island, Mazatlan, Mexico; a daughter: Phoebe Rose Laakso, and a step-daughter Ana Maria Acosta, both of Stone Island; three sisters: Judy Roggy and Janice (Stephen) Marks, both of Montesano and Jeannie (Lewis) Legat, Coupeville, WA; a brother: Jerry (Connie) Laakso, Bellingham; and a granddaughter: Chrissanna Mareno, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at 1 PM Sunday, November 11th at the Olequa Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St., Winclock, WA. Private inurnment will take place in the Laakso family section in the Winlock Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or to the Olequa Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St., Winlock, WA
A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Laakso, please visit our flower store.
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