James A. Konopik (Jim) passed away on January 12, 2016 at the age 81. Jim was born on Christmas Day in 1934 in Buhl, Idaho to parents, George E Konopik, Sr and Willa Ruth Konopik. The family moved in 1940 to a farm near Beemer, Nebraska. Jim loved to share stories about growing up on the farm.

Upon completion of school at Wisner, Nebraska, Jim married Dona Marie Middaugh and they moved to Omaha, NE where Jim worked at a retail department store and was a part time student at Omaha University and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Children Jane and Michael joined the family. After a time he quit his job at the department store and began a career as a school equipment and supplies salesman, traveling to school districts throughout the state. During this time, the family lived in Lincoln, Kearney, and North Platte, Nebraska.

After a visit to relatives living in Northwest Washington, Jim and Dona fell in love with Whidbey Island and moved their family out to San de Fuca on Whidbey in 1978. Looking for work, Jim discovered Koetje Real Estate and began his new career as a real estate agent. Dona and Jim loved San De Fuca and Jim became the unofficial “Mayor” of the area. Dona passed away in 1995.

When a new real estate agency came to Oak Harbor, Jim moved over to Windermere Properties where he was to remain until his retirement in 2014. While at Windermere, Jim became acquainted with another agent, Sarah Kirby. Their relationship flourished and on July 1, 2000 Jim and Sarah were married at Mosolino Gardens. They have been blessed with a loving marriage on their beloved Whidbey Island.

During his successful career as a real estate agent, Jim was selected a number of times as the Realtor of the Year for Whidbey Island. Many local realtors have become successful in their own right largely due to the mentoring Jim provided to those who listened to his wise counsel.

Jim felt privileged to be able to give back to the Whidbey community through membership and service. He served for many years on the board of Island Thrift of Oak Harbor and the Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Jim was a long time member of the Navy League of Whidbey Island, the Whidbey Golf and Country Club and past president and 40 year member of the Kiwanis Club of Oak Harbor. He also took great delight in singing bass with the An-O-Chords Barbershop Chorus for the past 22 years. Island Thrift has honored his years of service by awarding an annual high school scholarship to a student who excels in Community Service.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sarah; children Jane (Gene) Giles of Alliance, NE, and Michael James (Cindy) Konopik of Oak Harbor; and grandson Zachary Eskridge. Also surviving are Sarah’s children Scott (Teresa) McPherson of North Kingstown, RI and Libby (Michael) Philpot of Tuscan, AZ and brother, George E Konopik, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, John.

A memorial service for Jim will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor with Rev. Dr. Vonna Thomas and Rev. David Lura as Celebrants. All are invited to a reception in the Centennial Hall following the service. The family suggests memorials to North Whidbey Help House, 1091 SE Hathaway Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC. To leave condolences please visit Jim’s Book of Memories page on the funeral home website at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.

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