James Harold Prideaux of Des Moines, Washington passed away on May 18, 2025, at 95 years old. Jim was born on July 18, 1929, in Tacoma, Washington, to Crystal Avis (Nichols) and John Gordon Prideaux. He was the youngest of three children: a sister Geneva and a brother Donald.

Stricken with polio at six years old, Jim missed a year of school struggling to overcome the disease. He said he was one of the lucky ones whose only outcome was a leg slightly shorter than the other.

Jim graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma in 1947. It was at Stadium that he met the love of his life, Lois Corinne Melland, previously from Cartwright, North Dakota.

Jim’s marriage to Lois (who was known as Dolly to her family and friends in North Dakota) produced two children, Susanne Marie (married to William Walker) and Richard Kyle (married to Linda Hopp).

The Prideaux family life was filled with fun adventures including annual trips to the North Dakota homestead on the Yellowstone River (a family favorite) and trips to visit family in Southern California. Summer vacations were almost aways spent at Lake Chelan, water skiing, swimming and boating.

Later in life, boating on their boat named “Vahevala” was a favorite pastime for family and friends. They enjoyed many trips to beautiful locations in the San Juan Islands and Desolation Sound, where Prideaux Haven in British Columbia was always a favorite.

A proud Teamster his entire career, Jim retired from his 44 yrs of driving large semitrucks and trailers with no accidents, an accomplishment for which he was very proud. He said his favorite job over the years was driving US mail to Eastern Washington, despite having to chain-up over the pass in the winter.

After retirement, Jim and Lois fell in love with cruises and world travel. In all, they took over 20 cruises and trips internationally. His favorite river cruise was from Vienna to Amsterdam; he particularly loved the locks and the lectures. His favorite ocean cruise was a 21-day trip from Australia to Thailand.

A low point in Jim’s life was when he slowly lost Lois to Alzheimer’s disease. Jim cared for her by himself for twelve years at home, until he could no longer keep her safe. When Lois moved to a memory care facility, Jim went every day to visit and have lunch with her.

Jim leaves behind his loving family: daughter Sue (Bill) Walker, son Ric (Linda) Prideaux, two granddaughters, Erika (Gary) Jackman and Sara (Frank) Vicendese, and five beautiful great grandchildren, Jane, Anne Marie, Frankie, Isabel and Tess. Jim also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews, who often express the positive impact Uncle Jim had on their lives.

A celebration of life will take place on the family homestead in North Dakota.