Obituary for James Arthur Astle James “Jim” Arthur Astle, 88, of Mapleton, Utah passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home on April 13, 2018. Jim was born May 13, 1929 in Sacramento, California to Ivan Arthur and Clarice Marie [Van Winkle] Astle. From his birth to his death on Friday, Jim nourished everyone around him with his love, faith, and his memories.
He left a legacy of love and faith that we will never forget. Jim grew up at Lake Tahoe where he attended the one-room Kings Beach Elementary School. He lived in Reno for a year in his middle school years where he attended the Northside Middle School.
Jim attended Carson City High School and Tahoe Lake High School. His childhood was full of grand adventures with his siblings, Richard, Robert “Bobby”, and Phyllis. From May 1946 to March 1948, Jim courageously served in the navy at the end of World War II.
Jim enlisted at Reno, Nevada and was honorably discharged as a Seaman 2nd Class in Norfolk, Virginia. Jim started out on the USS Kearsarge. Not to long later, he was transferred to the USS Midway on a very rainy day while wearing his fancy blues.
He recalled not knowing why they had to leave all of their belonging behind on a truck on shore and having to wear their fancy blues for a few days until a plane delivered their stuff. He said living on the Midway after being on the Kearsarge was a difference from night to day; it was his sunshine after such a dreary stint of “rain”. The sun always comes out after the storms of our life.
While in the Navy, he worked damage control aboard the USS Midway. Jim loved to share stories of his years aboard the Midway. From trading unused cigarette rations for a “piano accordion” in Italy to the sights he saw of the world, Jim’s years in the Navy were a testament to his strong character.
Jim married the love of his life, Beulah Anne Spining, in 1949. They were sealed in the LDS temple in Oakland, California in 1965 for time and all eternity. His love and devotion to Beulah and his family are beyond measure.
He was always making sure his love was taken care of and that she was happy. Jim always put his family first. In his youth, Jim was always looking for ways to help out his mother.
He worked for jobs ranging from shoveling snow, cleaning the local theater, repairing bicycles, delivering telegrams for Western Union, and being a plumbing apprentice. As a father and a husband, he worked hard to provide for his family. Jim worked to help build up Squaw Valley where he helped to dynamite the holes to build the second lift for the Squaw Valley ski area.
He also hauled the first load of lumber up for the lodge at Squaw Valley. The building later burned down before the winter Olympics of 1960. Jim was a foreman for the Tahoe City Lumber Company.
He worked at the Tahoe Boat Co., Sierra Boat Company, and the Mike Brown Boat Company where he repaired and finished boats, did upholstery and engine work, and was a manager. Jim was able to rub elbows with many stars as he did boat work for Frank Sinatra, Robert Stack, Ty Cobb, and Jackie and Zoe Jensen. Jim also had the chance to meet Elizabeth Taylor.
Jim lived in Kings Beach when there was no electricity or plumbing to the houses in the area. He was witness to having the first telephones in the area and later the modernization of the valley. Jim also worked as a service tech for Wickland Oil Company, Dockendorf Equipment, Roy Brown service stations, and Nella Oil Co. were he worked repairing gas pumps, installing underground tanks, wiring, and installing all new service equipment and computers.
Jim retired from Nella Oil Company in April 1991. One of Jim’s treasured memories was when he was a stand-in for Barbara Rush in the film “Magnificent Obsession”. Jim was in the boat shop one day when someone from the film crew walked in, saw him, and gave him a yellow scarf and a helmet and told him that he would fit the part for a stand-in for Barbara Rush during the scene where Rock Hudson’s character takes a cruise around the lake to impress his girl.
Jim volunteered his time and talents to give back to his community. He was a captain with the Kings Beach Fire Department. In 1963, Jim and his family moved to Chico, California where Jim continued to give back to his community.
His volunteer work also included working hard in the church orchards, picking prunes, almonds, walnuts, and peaches. Jim was always there to help someone in need, whether it be moving or whatever the need might be In 1965, Jim and his family moved to Durham, California to a mini farm where they could raise a lot of their own food. They moved a couple of more times before settling in Tumwater, Washington in 1991.
While in Washington, Jim and his beloved wife, Beulah, served as grandparents for the stake young women’s girl’s camp for ten years. The memories of silly skits and the love they had for each girl is cherished by many. Jim and Beulah made a lot of lasting memories and friends there before moving to Winchester, Virginia in 2000.
They moved to Utah in 2007. He spread joy and made life-long friends no matter what part of the country he lived in. In his later years, Jim spent a lot of his time with friends at the Springville Senior Center.
His lunches, and activities through the center brought him joy on a daily basis. Jim was able to travel to visit family and to go on many adventures, including an overnight stay on the USS Midway, a cruise to Alaska, and a cruise through the Panama Canal. Jim enjoyed being with family, watching John Wayne movies, and taking walks — especially when it snowed so he could capture the beauty he beheld with his camera.
Jim was a high priest and a valiant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a deep faith in his Heavenly Father, and in his Savior, Jesus Christ. His love of the gospel and his testimony of eternal families served as an example of faith and strength to his family.
Jim’s life itself is a testament of miracles as he has had several experiences where he should have lost his life. His courage and perseverance was an example to many to never give up without a fight. To his family, he will be remembered most for his quiet devotion and his constant concern for how you were doing.
He would always ask how you were and genuinely cared about your life. He loved sharing memories of years gone by and his friends and family enjoyed hearing his stories. Jim loved to talk about the snow packed up past the rooflines in winter and his finish work on boats on Tahoe in the summer.
Jim’s favorite stories to tell, however, were of his fond memories serving his country in the Navy. Jim was a beloved man who passed his love, kindness, and strength on to everyone he encountered. His zest for life and his love for the gospel shone brightly for all to see.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Beulah; along with 5 children: Diana (Chester “Mac”) McDermott, Linda (Ron, d.) Millard, Susan (John Philips, d.) Astle, Debra (David) Fullmer, and Tom (Pam) Astle; 22 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; one sibling, Phyllis Skamel and many other loving nieces, nephews, and relatives. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Richard and Robert “Bobby”, and his grandson, Dale Millard. Sweetheart, Dad, Uncle, Grandpa, Grampy, and so much more: It is because of you that we are all who we are today.
We all love you so much. Until we meet again, we will stay strong and united for you! A viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 from 6-8 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historic Church building (31 West Maple Street Mapleton, Utah).
The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, April 18 at 11 am at the Historic Church Building. A viewing will be held at 10 am prior to the service.
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