JAMES CARL MOELLER
July 2, 1955 ˜ March 8, 2023

James Carl Moeller of Vancouver, WA, passed away on March 8 from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He was born in Vancouver on July 2, 1955, to Gladyce and Carl Moeller. As a Vancouver native, Jim went to Hough Elementary, McLoughlin Junior High and graduated from Fort Vancouver High school in 1973. He developed a rich singing voice and a love for music as an active member of theater and chorus.

His parents did not believe in failure to launch, so for his graduation they gave him a one-way ticket to Australia to visit his sister who was teaching there. He was to make himself useful, earn enough to get himself home and then they would pay for his college. He did this by delivering telegrams, sometimes singing them. His trip home with his sister was another adventure, which was a 72-day overland bus journey from Kathmandu to London in 1974. At 18, it was an eye-opening experience. Jim always loved a road trip.

He received a degree in Psychology from Washington State University and did additional graduate study in social work at Portland State. He developed a specialty in chemical dependency and worked for Kaiser as a chemical dependence counselor for 30 years.

But his greatest passion was his commitment to service. He was one of the first openly gay men to serve on a city council and as a representative in Washington State. He was elected to the Vancouver City council in 1995 and in 2002 to the 49th District as their Representative. He served in the legislature from 2003 to 2017 and was a member of many committees including co-chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. Jim was elected by his colleagues in the Washington House of Representatives as speaker pro tempore in 2011 and each succeeding year until his retirement.

As a representative, two of the many successful bills he co-authored were the Slayer Statue no slayer may benefit as a result of the victim's death and the Washington State Vulnerable Adult Protection Act. He was a man of gentle strength and humor who served as a representative for all of his constituents.

Jim was involved in many community organizations. He was a life-long member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a member of YMCA Diversity Task Force, a founding member of Clark County Pride and chair of the Southwest Washington Health District Board of Directors to name a few.
Jim lived his life well. He was known for his smile, his giggle, his subtle sense of humor and his commitment to help others. He loved a good red wine, chocolate, traveling and of course, his bow ties.

He is survived by his sister Fae and many cousins and friends. There will be a memorial service for Jim at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA on April 1, 2023 at 1 p.m. followed by a reception at the Academy, 400 E Evergreen Blvd. Vancouver.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Martha's Pantry, the Vancouver Food Bank or CurePSP.org .