James David Aronen, born Dec. 23, 1941, died on April 26, 2012, after a valiant fight against mesothelioma.

Jim was an extraordinary individual, kind and gentle, sensitive and intelligent, a person of great faith and capacity to love, a true Finnish Renaissance Man.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary McClellan Aronen; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon (Gary) Rantala; his four children: Jason (Jana Sackmeister) Aronen, Teresa

(Jason) Schorn, Lisa (Greg) Wright and Chris Aronen along with his four grandchildren: Larisa, Savoy and Maxwell Schorn and Sadie Wright. He loved us all so very much, as we did him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Laura T. and Lawrence M. Aronen and infant granddaughter Elise Schorn.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 345 South 312th St, Federal Way, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the USDA Forest Service, 1550 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Oregon 97814 to support the care and conservation of the Blue Mountains or to The Church of the Good Shepherd that gave Jim support and a spiritual home here in Federal Way.