James D Bourbonnais

James D. "Jim" Bourbonnais, 80, passed away on March 14, 2015, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Jim was born to the late Almeric and Gyda Bourbonnais in Bakersfield, Calif., where he grew up and attended high school. In 1951, he joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1957. Jim laughingly said that he was able to "See the World", primarily China and Korea, from the deck of a ship. Jim and Patricia Riley were dating prior to his naval enlistment and, upon his discharge, they became engaged. Jim's Naval Service and aircraft-related correspondence courses qualified him for admittance as a junior to the Aeronautical Engineering Program at Cal Poly. During Jim's first mid-term break they married. The newlyweds moved to San Jose, Calif., so Jim could continue his studies at San Jose State. Jim worked part-time as an aircraft mechanic and later as a welder working on aluminum personnel carriers. Lured by letters from Jim's parents filled with glowing stories of Alaska, the couple headed to Alaska in their 1951 Hudson towing a home-built trailer. Almost immediately Jim began working for a helicopter charter business and they purchased a home near the airport. The winter of 1962 was daunting for Patty, but Jim had seen lots of cold weather on ships off the coast of Korea and readily adapted; by 1964 they considered themselves "sourdoughs." In 1966, Jim opened "The Shade Tree." a small engine repair shop on Spenard Road. Jim was a "Shade Tree Mechanic" throughout his life. Later, Jim was hired in the Maintenance Shop at Fort Richardson, where he worked until retirement. The couple embraced Alaska and enjoyed hunting and fishing, motorcycling and snow machining. They were avid gun enthusiasts. In later years, they purchased the "Solitude," a 37-foot sailboat, and enjoyed weekend sailing cruises and blue-water adventures out of Seward, Alaska. Their sailing days were replaced by excursions in "El Gato," their classic GMC motor home. Jim was preceded in death by his darling Patty, his wife of 57 years. They had no children and their bounty of friends were "family." Jim is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Laverne and Jerry Swoape of Bakersfield, Calif. Friends are invited to join them at a Gathering for this honorable man and beloved friend scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2015, at the Coast International Inn from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.