Jim Blossey
December 2, 1933 – February 27, 2025.
Longtime Edmonds business and community leader Jim Blossey passed away February 27 from complications of pneumonia at Swedish Edmonds Hospital. He grew up in Spokane and graduated from high school in 1952. Shortly after his graduation, Jim enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the USS Walton, a destroyer. His ship participated in operations off the coast of North Korea. After serving on active duty for two years, Jim attended Washington State College, (now University) where he graduated with a degree in Communications. For the next 18 years, he worked as a radio disc jockey beginning at KIDO in Boise, Idaho and after five years, he assumed a similar role in Bremerton and then in Seattle at KVI and later KOMO. He then started an advertising company in Seattle, later relocating to Edmonds. In Edmonds he often worked pro bono for several charitable organizations.
Among his many accomplishments, Jim was charter President of the Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary Club, played a key role in forming the Rotary Homeless Youth Foundation, and with then Chamber President Carolyn Johnson and other local leaders worked to develop downtown Edmonds (then often referred to as “Deadmonds”), into its present vibrant state. For many years he performed public relations on contract for the Port of Edmonds and was instrumental in starting the Edmonds Waterfront Festival. Jim was a Life Member and Past Commander of Edmonds VFW Post 8870 and a long time Holy Rosary Edmonds parishioner. He is survived by his wife, Linda, son Paul, Paul’s wife Suzie and grandson Danny.
Funeral will be held at Holy Rosary Church, Edmonds, Friday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m.
So sad to see you go….
A capable and kind man who built others up.
Condolences to his wife, son and daughter in law
Jim was such a joy to know and call our friend. You might not know he was super dedicated to his work with the Burned Children’s Foundation as well. We were lucky enough to have his good company when the doors opened three mornings a week for many years at Chanterelle…Mondays and Wednesdays on his favorite table 4, then Thursdays with his Rotary buddies. He was always entertaining, thoughtful and kind to our staff. (You can indeed tell a person’s character by how they treat their servers!) I will say it was always a kick to hear him revert to his very deep radio disc jockey voice when he answered his cell phone, booming “James Blossey! ”. Sending condolences to Linda and all Jim’s friends.
A good friend of the PORT, Jim attended many meetings over the years, reporting to the community what was going on around the waterfront.
Jim was a true asset to the community!
We’ve lost another Edmonds treasure. Quietly he served the community with his many talents. He became an advisor to me over many years and I’m thankful to have had his friendship. Hugs to Linda, thinking of you.
Goodbye my friend.
Jim was an incredible presence in our community in many ways, though I got to witness his impact through working alongside him at Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary where he was founding member .
He was instrumental in creating Edmonds Jazz Connection, a festival celebrating of our student Jazz musicians throughout our region and the incredible arts culture of our town, as well as creating the ‘Hidden Winner’ award for Scriber Lake High School recognizing resilient students overcoming life’s obstacles to find great achievement and make contributions to their own school communities.
Jim will live in my memories standing beside exceptional students and their proud parents & teachers using his ‘radio voice’ to recognize their achievements, talk about their dreams and let them know they are seen & appreciated by their community for their greatness & hard work.
His legacy will live on as these students model his kindness, gratitude and spirit of service.
Fair winds and following seas to my dear friend. Jim never stopped giving. He was our MC at many a Veterans and Memorial Day Ceremony, the guy who coordinated with schools and his fellow Vets to make sure any school who wanted to have a Veteran come out and speak to their students got one, and just a great guy to know.
Edmonds has lost a good man. He was a great member of Edmonds VFW Post 8870, serving as a Post Commander.
I worked with JIm, a fellow veteran and VFW Member, on numerous community projects including the Edmonds Veterans Plaza wherein he provided exceptional support. Jim will be missed but surely REMEMBERED!
What an amazing and generous man he was. RIP Jim. Condolences to Linda, and Paul & Susie and Danny
Joanne and TJ