Our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather Jim Maude left this world on May 21st. He always had a smile, a kind word or joke for everyone, and we will miss him terribly.

Dad was born in Port Angeles, Washington, on June 1, 1938, the only child of Harold and Gertrude Maude. He spent his early years in Seattle, Snohomish and Everett, Washington, graduating from Everett High School in 1956. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training in Fort Lewis. He graduated with honors from the Army's Missile and Munitions Center and School at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, where he trained to maintain early U.S. Army missile systems.

Jim met Linda Wideman on a blind date in 1960 when he was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, and they married not long after. One of Dad's early assignments was at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He also served overseas in Germany and Korea, and in Alabama, Hawaii, Kansas and New York. While in Hawaii, Dad volunteered for Teen Challenge, a faith-based recovery program for individuals struggling with addiction.

When Dad retired from the Army after 20 years of service, our family eventually settled in Everett, Washington, so we could be close to Dad's parents. After all three kids graduated from high school, Mom and Dad moved to Monroe, Washington, where Dad worked at the Coast to Coast Hardware store. He also volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and at Camp Volasuca, a summer camp operated by the Volunteers of America that hosted disabled adults, low-income youth and family support groups.

Mom and Dad eventually moved to Woodstock, Georgia, to be near their sons, and attended First Baptist Church Woodstock. Dad was a devout Christian who enjoyed reading his Bible and attending services and Bible study. He loved people and especially enjoyed serving as a greeter at Sunday services. Dad sang in the church's "Pebbles" choir, which traveled to perform at retirement communities and senior centers in Georgia and other nearby states including Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Linda Maude. He is survived by his three children and their spouses Cathy Harrington (John), Kevin Maude (Kim), and Bryant Maude (Christi); his four grandchildren Shala, Jordan, Christian, and Lily; and his four great-grandchildren Kody, Araya, Airiss and Ally.

A private service with full military honors will be held on June 8 at Georgia National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations can be made to a charity of your choice that benefits youth, music or nature.