James Harold Theubet

April 15, 1939 - June 21, 2014

James H. Theubet James H. Theubet, 75, a longtime local resident of Chelan, peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday, June 21st, surrounded by his family. “Jimmy” was born April 15, 1939 in Charleston, West Virginia, and was the only son of James and Mary Theubet. He spent his early childhood on the family farm at Skull Run, West Virginia. The family moved to Newport News, Virginia to work at Newport News Naval Shipyards during the war years. After the war, in 1946, the family moved to Blaine, Washington where Jimmy played on the docks catching fish and crabs and was also employed at the local newspaper as a paperboy. He also traveled to Alaska with family members to work on several fishing expeditions. In 1956, the family found their permanent home in Chelan and opened the legendary “Sand and Surf” restaurant in downtown Chelan, which they operated until 1975. Jimmy worked at the family restaurant while attending Chelan High School. He started a successful career with the U.S. Forest Service in Chelan in the summer of 1957. After graduating from Chelan High School in 1958, he went to work full time for the Forest Service. Jimmy joined the U.S. Army in 1961, and served as an infantryman for three years in Okinawa. He joined the Army again in 1968 in response to the Vietnam War. He attended Officer Candidate School and quickly became an Airborne Ranger and Scout Dog Leader. He served in the 25th Infantry Division during Vietnam as a Scout Dog Unit Commander. Following his deployment to Vietnam, he returned to Chelan and resumed his Forest Service career. During his Forest Service career, he worked in several districts in Washington including Twisp, Chelan, and Skykomish, as well as Mad River and Shasta Lake in California. During his illustrious career he served in several positions including smokejumper, helitak foreman, base camp manger and logistical chief. In 1989, he retired in Northern California from 32 years of government service. He married Carol Elaine Hart during his military R & R in Hawaii in 1970. They later had two sons and settled in Redding, California where both their sons were raised. Following the passing of his wife in 2004, he returned to his hometown of Chelan where he split his time between his beloved cabin in Stehekin and the family home in Chelan. He married Christine Robins, a longtime resident of Wenatchee, in 2011. During his last three years, he laughed and danced at every opportunity as he and Christine enjoyed spending time with grandchildren, traveling, woodworking, and enjoying Stehekin. Jimmy is survived by: his wife Christine, two sons James Dale and Michael Jerry Theubet, and two daughters Betty Karcutski and Star Downey and twelve grandchildren. A tribute service will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Precht Rose Chapel in Chelan. A reception will follow at the Lake Chelan Yacht Club. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.prechtrose.com. Services under the direction of Precht Rose Chapel, Chelan.