Orlane James Blikre died on March 11, 2022, in an Edmonds, Washington hospital from multiple medical conditions. He was born May 3, 1932 to Norien and Berta Blikre on his grandparents’ McCormick's farm in Tioga Township, North Dakota with his grandmother as the midwife. At the age of 5, his family moved into Tioga. At the age of 10, his family moved to Centralia, Washington, where he received his education. After graduation from high school, he served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Germany and France. After discharge he lived in Tioga where he became an auto mechanic at the local Ford garage.
On June 27, 1958, he married June Pepper, daughter of Simon and Mamie Pepper of Ray, North Dakota They and their four children lived in Tioga, North Dakota and in 1968 moved to Washington state. Jim worked at the Ford dealership in Kirkland and worked in the automotive industry for 62 years before retiring in 2015. He enjoyed automobile shows, swing band concerts and walking.
He is survived by his wife June of 64 years; four children Tami (Tony) Arredondo, Thomas (Lori), Teresa and Anthony (Wendy); grandchildren Jessica and Sarah (Tia); and great-grandchild Marshall. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jean Spangrud of Nebraska.
Interment will be at the Hillcrest Burial Park in Kent, Washington. There will be no open casket as he left clear instructions on his wishes. No funeral services, no end-of-life gathering memorial, and only his children and grandchildren “if they wish to come” at the grave site, and "just drop me in the ground.” Later he said no social media. Jim wanted friends and family to remember him as he lived. He asked in his remembrance that everyone walk the trails for him, donate park benches, and support the swing bands.
