James “Jim” Marlowe, 78

JAMES D. MARLOWE

February 18, 1944 – October 15, 2022

James “Jim” Marlowe, 78, passed away at Kootenai Hospital, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after 10 days in critical care following a major cardiac event with his wife of 27 years, Sandra, by his side.

Born in Oroville, Calif., Jim spent his youth playing baseball and fishing in the rolling hills of Gilroy, Calif., graduating Gilroy High School in 1961. He attended Chico State University, earning degrees in business and real estate, and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, in which he lost a brother. A program controls manager overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, Jim was proud to spend most of his career at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company (Lockheed-Martin), in Silicon Valley during its rise to prominence in aerospace and technology.

Residing in San Jose, Calif., with first wife, Carla (Nygard), Jim was a devoted father to girls, Amy and Megan, and a son, Jon, serving as coach and mentor in sports and academics. Jim was accepted for Masonic membership in Friendship Lodge #210 in San Jose, Calif., earning the degree of Master, directing his lodge for a year, and was active with Sons of Norway Nordahl Grieg Lodge in Los Gatos, Calif., and later Harald Haarfager Lodge in Coeur d’Alene.

Jim married jazz vocalist Sandra (Dean) Marlowe in June 1995, returning to Gilroy, Calif. Retiring in 2000, Jim was happy to be done with “the commute"! He relished time with friends and family, fishing with grandsons and tending roses and vegetable gardens, pursuing an interest in bonsai cultivation. His best times were riding his BMW motorcycle on backroads with pals, obtaining certification in Motorcycle Safety and teaching a course at Gavilan College in Gilroy. He perfected trap and skeet abilities at Coyote Gun Range, making lasting friendships over iced teas on the patio. A high-energy guy, Jim managed the Marlowe family apartments, functioned as CFO for the San Jose Masonic Association and was Executive Producer on his wife’s first major recording.

Jim was excited to relocate to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with his wife, Sandra, in 2018. He appreciated the beauty, recreation, conservative politics and traditional values, made new friendships and explored the area. Always sharing stories and knowledge, Jim was on a first-name basis with many he met and is remembered for his humor. After health changes in 2021, he liked sitting on his deck overlooking the Spokane River, talking on his iPhone, caring for his dogs — “the girls” Penny and Stella, trying restaurants and visiting neighbors. Evenings in the “man cave” meant enjoying a good mystery or nature show on TV, movies and detective series’ on YouTube.

Jim was preceded in death by parents, Patricia J. Marlowe and James (John) Marlowe, Sr.; two brothers, Jack and Jay; and daughter, Amy. He is survived by spouse, Sandra Marlowe, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Jon and Nina (Tang) Marlowe, grandsons Lucas, Reese and Blake of San Ramon, Calif.; Megan Marlowe and Wes Penney, grandsons Bryce and Brant of Spring, Texas; niece Jennifer Marlowe and Juan Sosa, grandnieces Allison, Stella and Mellody of Yuma, Ariz.; niece Marielle Marlowe, nephew Jay Marlowe, Jr., cousins, extended family and dear friends.

A warrior at heart and to the end, he passed with courage and dignity. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at Unity Center of Divine Love & Light, 4123 Lincoln Road, Spokane, Wash. His ashes will be interred at a graveside service, including Masonic rites and Military Honor Guard, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 at Los Gatos Memorial Park, San Jose, Calif.