The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

James Richard Abel was born in Dayton, Washington to Estella O. and Chester A. Abel.

James survived his beloved wife, Patsy, for another 13 years after her passing. He had made a promise that they would always be together, and he kept it while she waited patiently on the mantle of his fireplace for his time to join her again. So now they will both be finally laid to rest together and finish the journey that they so lovingly started many, many years ago.

James and Patsy had two very full lives with all the ups and downs that life seemed to throw at them.

James was a cowboy at heart having raised many farm animals in his lifetime. Horses were by far his favorite, but if you name it, he probably raised it at some point in his life, from exotic birds to tropical fish. Patsy was exactly the same way when it came to the animals. She delivered many pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, cats, dogs, and pretty much anything else you can think of. They never really did anything halfway. If one fish, bird, rabbit, or pig was good enough, then they might as well have 10, 20, or even 200 at a time.

James and Patsy were two of the most talented, friendly, and open-hearted people one could ever hope to meet in life. We all loved them dearly. They raised many, many children in their lifetime. From their own children and grandchildren to those of extended family, friends, and neighbors, it didn't make any difference, they all received the same amount of love from James and Patsy. We wish them God's speed to the next journey together through the rest of time.

They are survived by their oldest daughter, Kathy (Abel) LeClerc, and her two children, Alex and Lydia; and youngest son, Tim Abel and his wife Claudia, and his children Nathaniel, Gabriel, and Tylor.

As per their wishes, James and Patsy will be laid to rest together in the Dayton Cemetery.