Jim Howard Roberts transitioned on Sunday, March 3, 2024, with his son Rob and wife Marilyn by his side and the family gathered around. Jim was born to Howard and Delesta Roberts in Anacortes, Washington, on August 27, 1944.  Jim attended elementary school in La Conner and moved to Mount Vernon, where he graduated from high school in 1963.  He attended Skagit Valley College, during which time he met the love of his life, Marilyn Whited.  This was during the time of the Vietnam War, and Jim was going to get drafted.  He decided to join the US Air Force and proceeded to join.  Not wanting to leave Marilyn behind, he asked her to marry him and join him on his Air Force adventure.  They lived in Colorado, Wyoming, and Maryland.  They made many dear, lifelong friends during this time.  They returned home to Mount Vernon in 1969, where Jim returned to college, attending Skagit Valley College and Western Washington University.

Upon leaving school, he joined his father at the Roberts Boat Company, building top-of-the-line commercial fishing vessels. He was proud of the great boats they built and of their reputation. Jim loved fishing and crabbing in the San Juans and vacations in Maui, Hawaii. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time at the family beach home on Cypress Island, Strawberry Bay.

Jim is survived by his wife Marilyn, sons Howard (Amy), Rob (Stacie), Jeremy (Pamela), grandchildren Tayla (Mike Froke), Jackson, Kimry (Garrett Swatzina), Emily, Frankie, Spencer, Lucas, Madeline, and Thatcher.  Great grandson Tayson.  Brother John (Marilyn) of Wailuku, HI, and sister Lynn Yuill (Ron) of Issaquah.

A celebration of life will be held in August when his ashes will be spread on the waters of Strawberry Bay, followed by a crab feed with close friends and family as he requested.

To share memories of Jim, please sign his online guest register and bookmark this link for easy return visits: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/jim-roberts .