James Otter *
Bellingham, Washington – James (Jim) H. Otter
Born November 18, 1941 to John G. and Jennie (Haverkamp) Otter.
Jim Otter passed away peacefully at the Hospice House with his daughter Cheri by his side on February 9, 2021 due to complications of diabetes.
Jim grew up with his 4 brothers and 1 sister on a dairy farm in Northern Lynden, Washington. He milked cows, picked strawberries, raspberries and his moms’ famous green beans. He was quite the prankster, had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh.
As a freshman he worked for Ken Boeringa milking cows and for Joe Johnson milking cows and cleaning calf pens.
He graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1959.
His first job out of high school was working for Dick Vellema helping to build the Lynden Christian School on Drayton Street. He then worked on the gym at Nooksack Valley High School. Jim went to Grangeville, Idaho to drive a columbine for his Uncle Marion.
Jim attended Bellingham Tech School briefly before deciding he didn’t like it and stopped.
Jim then worked for Red Geer at Modern Repair where he discovered his love of working on cars and trucks.
In August 1960 Jim went to work for Hinton’s Chevrolet. He started out as a lube man then a mechanic. In 1966 he became the service manager then went on to become a used car buyer. He filled in when needed in the parts department. He quit working for Hinton’s in January 1980 and went on to open Otters Cars and Trucks in August 1980 where he excelled in selling quality used cars. For 40 years Jim demonstrated how to be reliable and trustworthy. He moved his car business several times before retiring.
In June 1962 Jim married Elaine VanderHoek. They later divorced.
Jim and Elaine had two children, Cheri and Jamie.
Some of Jim’s hobbies included growing dahlias and fuchsia baskets. (He got his green thumb from his mom). He loved camping and fishing with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He sponsored many of his son and grandson’s sport teams in the Lynden and Ferndale areas. He had a knack for collecting interesting friends, if you were lucky enough for him to call you friend; chances are you were a friend for life.
Jim took several trips to Taiwan to visit his son Jamie, daughter-in-law Sondra and grandson Russell. He enjoyed spending time with the children from their English school, especially Hanna and Jimmy. He taught several of the children to play cribbage.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents John and Jennie, brothers Gordon, Jerry and Delbert. He was also preceded in death by his parents-in-law, John and Alice VanderHoek, son-in-law, Chris Shockey, niece, Jodie Pease and great grandson, Noah Robert.
Jim is survived by his daughter Cheri Shockey, Ferndale and son Jamie (Sondra) Otter, Taiwan his grandchildren Kaisha, Tanner and Russell and great grandchildren Taran, Amica, Ellowyn, Rheya and Persephone
Jim is also survived by brother Ivan (Butch) Otter, sister Jan (Chris) DeVore, sisters-in-law Alice, Rose, Marcia, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends from his Fairway Café breakfasts, mall walks and Burger King coffee group.
The family would like to thank St Joseph’s Hospital and the Hospice House for the wonderful care and compassion that they showed to Jim and his daughter Cheri through this difficult time.
Special thanks to Ricky & Kaisha, Amica & Nene, Steve & Natalie, Jill, Kristi, Galen and Fred.
Jim will be remembered for his huge heart and mischievous smile by all those lives he touched.
I welcome any stories of my dad and if you include your name and phone number, I will try to reach out to you. P.O. Box 506, Lynden, Wa., 98264
Published in Bellingham Herald on Feb. 14, 2021.