James A. “Getch” Getchell passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 28, 2017, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 82 years old.
Getch was born July 21, 1934 in Seattle, Washington to Asher and Margaret (Hull) Getchell. He grew up in the Magnolia Bluff area with his younger sister Mimi. He graduated from Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington. Getch met Mary Lou (Zarkades) while attending the UW, at a dance on a double date (with opposite dates!). They married in 1954, had 4 beautiful children and a 30-year marriage.
After graduating from the UW in 1956, Getch began a 22-year career as a Marine Infantry Officer. He excelled in marksmanship and was a member of the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol team for many years. In 1963 he achieved “Top Gun” of the Marine Corps by winning the Lauchheimer Trophy. He is a Marine Corps Double Distinguished Shooter, marksman and pistol shot.
A few of his many duty stations included: Commanding Officer and Marksmanship Instructor, Weapons Training Battalion; Commanding Officer, Bangor Ammunition Depot; and Executive to the Director of Intelligence, Commander in Chief Pacific.
His 14-month tour of duty in Vietnam included combat action in Con Thien, Chu Lai, and An Hoa. He participated in operations Wyoming, Colorado, Prairie, Mississippi, Tuscaloosa, and counter-insurgency actions in the Republic of Vietnam. He was the Company Commander of Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, October-November 1966.
Getch retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel, moved back to Washington State, and began a second career in the cellular communication industry. He managed the construction of cellular tower sites throughout the northwest region for Cellular One, McCaw Cellular and AT&T. He retired again in 1998 and settled in Bremerton, Washington.
Getch’s love of the outdoors and salmon fishing was instilled in him by his father-in-law, Gus Zarkades, a pioneer of sport fishing for salmon in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan De Fuca. He loved coming to visit his son and family in Montana and fishing with his grand kids, although he wasn’t too impressed with the size of the fish or the tiny flies that were used! Fishing eventually gave way to full time golf, and the Kitsap Golf and Country Club provided him with 15 years of golf, and a special friendship with Claire Brandewie.
Getch was preceded in death by his parents, Asher and Margaret, and sister, Mimi.
Getch is survived by his former wife Mary Lou Barton; 4 children, Debbie, Gunnar, Marni, and Kirsten. Debbie lives in Snohomish, Washington; Gunnar and wife Angela in Montana City, Montana; Marni and husband Chris in Fort Worth, Texas; and Kirsten and husband Tim in Berkeley, California. He has 8 grandchildren – David, Cody (Brandy), Loren, Trey, Gus, Ally (Aaron), Lili and Isabela, and 3 great-grandchildren – Asher, Emerie, and Julian.
A memorial service and celebration of Getch’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, followed by a reception. Burial with full military honors will take place at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Getch’s name are suggested to: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (http://www.vvmf.org/); and the Alzheimer’s Association (http://www.alz.org/). Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Getch.
Special thanks to the staff at the Fort Harrison VA, Saint Peters Hospital, Compassus, and especially the caring and compassionate staff at Touchmark memory care.
Semper Fi
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00
Friday March 3, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Friday March 3, 2017
Social Hall of the funeral home
,
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception (2:00p.m.)
Friday March 3, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00
Friday March 3, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Friday March 3, 2017
Social Hall of the funeral home
,
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception (2:00p.m.)
Friday March 3, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Hero's Road
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Anderson Stevenson Wilke says
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Your family and Jim were such a special part of my 10 months with Bill at Touchmark. Thank you for your friendship and support. You are all in my prayers.
Gail Lannan
P.S.
He always liked his bananas!
Katie O'Neil says
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Many good memories. You were such great caregivers and you will never have regrets. Eternal be his memory. Regards to all.
Terry Howard says
Those of us that went to Magnolia Grade School are sorry to hear the passing of Jim. Thanks to Loving Care that Jim’s family provided.
Robert Boyd says
Marylyn ,Tommy, Jimmy n I were babies n toddlers together in an apartment with a courtyard on Capitol Hill Seattle. Our Mothers were great friends and am sure would have had a lot of stories to tell. We all kept touch through our College Years and on n off later. We are so very Saddened by his Passing. Wesend our Thoughts and Prayers to his Wonderful Family.
Many Blessings. Bob Boyd
Donna Lory Draper says
I attended Queen Anne High School with Jim and I just knew he would do something
impressive with his life and he did, As the daughter of a former Marine I know that
Jim was “the best” in everything he did. What is it about Marines that they love
salmon fishing and golf?
Bless you Gunnar and the rest of your family for caring for your father.
William Zarkades says
I’m certain Getch used me as his inspiration to join the Marines after he met and married my sister, Mary Lou Zarkades. “Anyone can be an boot-camp sharpshooter who becomes a Marine Corp rifle instructor after making it through boot-camp. But, you’re just enlisted man material and I [Gethch] am officer-material with a helluva lot more talent than you’ll ever have” must have been his USMC calling. In short, we Marines have little tolerance for less-than superior, optimum performance: Getch lived that maxim with everything he had to give to life.
I loved Getch. I loved the way he blended into the Zarkades family, taking special–and loving–steps to earn the love and respect and admiration of my father, Gus Zarkades, Getch’s fishing guru.
After Getch returned from his last tour of duty in Viet Nam, he spent a long evening drinking and crying with me as he opened–and let spill–all he had lived through in “Nam.” I thought he was courageous in combat, and, I thought he was just as courageous in privately reliving the horrors of war with me.
To Gunnar and Angela, thanks for assuming responsibility for the care and love of a truly fine human being. Getch went down fighting to stay up…the spirit intrinsic to a full life lived well. May he enjoy every day of his newfound Peace. He deserves it.
With all my love, always…
Your sad, hurting, Uncle Bill
Donna Owens says
Gunnar, you spoke often of the Colonel. Through some of your stories and always a twinkle in your eyes as you spoke of your father, I learned just how special he was in your life. An honorable man who like so many, fought the battle side by side with many other soldiers and when he returned home. As you know, my father was a WWII POW survivor. He would say on occasion, “war is hell & nobody knows it better than a soldier.” Hats off to your father, my father and all members of the military. They are truly men and women of sacrifice and honor. Rest in peace Colonel!
Michelle Haley says
I had the joy of taking care of Jim at touchmark and he touched all of us caregivers hearts,with his smile and great sense of humour,He will truly be missed,and Thank you for letting us take care of him!He talked about his family often and how much he loved them!God Bless you and your family
Amber Costigan says
I used to work at Touchmark and I just loved Getch. He was so funny and sweet. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family. R.I.P Getch.
JOY B. ;HAMMEL says
I OFTEN THINK OF GETCH WHEN WE LIVED SIDE BY SIDE IN QUANTICO AND THEN DOWN THE STREET IN OCEANSIDE WHEN GETCH AND CHARLIE WERE IN VIETNAM. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE DAY THEY TOOK THE KIDS FISHING AND PASSED DRINKS BACK AND FORTH ON THE WATER FROM ONE BOAT TO THE OTHER.
MY SYMPATHY TO ALL YOUR CHILDREN AND KNOW THAT HE WILL BE MISSED.
Dara says
Dearest Debbie,Gunnar, Marni & Kirsten,
I loved your father like he was my own.Though 50 years have passed there is hardly a week that goes by that I don’t think of you all.Quantico was the happiest for me as a child.We had great times that I will never forget. I loved you then Debbie & I still do very much. Marni & Kirsten I never got to meet but I remember when you were born.Gunnar, My heart goes out to you because I took care of my father as well. There comes a point when the children become the parents & the parents become the child. My thoughts & prayers will be with you on March 3rd. Your father was a great man! I love you all
I also do not want to forget your mother.Both of our mother’s made sure we had normal childhoods. I loved when your mom played the piano at Christmas.We had such good times. I will never ever forget them…Please take care of all of yourselves. In light & love ✨❤️ Dara
Mike Zarkades says
I grew up thinking Getchell was about the coolest “last” name you could have – still do – and, as a Zarkades, you don’t come to that point of view without thinking your Uncle Jim was special in ways that still aren’t exactly clear to me.
To my cousins Debbie, Gunnar, Marni and Kirsten; and to Aunt Mary Lou of course, I will remember my Uncle Jim with respect and love – as that is what he always showed to me.