James A. Arness

Dec 25, 1947 -

Dec 31, 2024

Lifelong Alaskan James Allan Arness, 77, passed away on Dec. 31, 2024, at the Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna. The family plans for a celebration of life during the summer months to spread his ashes over his Cook Inlet set net site, as was his wish.

Jim was born on Dec. 25, 1947, in Seattle, Wash., to Peggy and James V. Arness of Kenai, Alaska. He returned to Alaska with his parents when he was just three months old.

Jim and his younger brother Joe enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with truly Alaska adventures as their playground stretched from North Kenai to Kasilof and all the wilderness in between. He enjoyed many sports from Little League to high school basketball, helped on the Arness dock and family fish site in North Kenai, and established many great, lifelong friendships.

Jim graduated from Kenai Central High School in 1966, where he enjoyed playing basketball, a sport he continued through adulthood. In 1970, he earned a B.S. degree in accounting from Alaska Methodist University - now Alaska Pacific University - and started his lifelong career as a certified public accountant. He established his own business in Kenai where he spent his career supporting the community.

In 1972, Jim married Barbara Lilly and settled in North Kenai where their two daughters were born and raised. He enjoyed sharing his love of commercial fishing and sports with them.

In 1989, he purchased a commercial fish site on Cook Inlet where he and his family spent many summers. It was one of his favorite places to be, sitting on the deck watching the water and driving his John Deere tractor on the beach.

Jim was a gentle man. His strength came from his compassion and humility, and his firm belief in integrity and hard work. He was the kind of person you could count on. He was a helper, a confidant, a true friend, a great dad and mentor to many. When his grandchildren were born, he requested to be called "Doc," instead of Grandpa. We know that the grandkids inherited Doc's incredible dance moves, but we also hope they retain his wit, his integrity, his generosity and his benevolence. His calming presence and big smile will be greatly missed.

In 2001, Jim married Dorothy Gray. They built a retirement home on the shores of Lake Arness in North Kenai in 2005. In his retirement Jim enjoyed the time to be with friends, family and, of course, at his beach site.

Jim is survived by his wife, Dorothy; mother, Peggy Arness; two daughters, Rebecca Arness of Kenai, and Jessica Bohn (Jarrodd) of Bend, Ore.; stepdaughter, Jennifer McCard (Alex Peterson) of Alexandria, Va.; seven grandchildren, Lia, Eileen and Paige Arness of Kenai, Farrah and Waylon Bohn of Bend, and Audrey and Robbie Peterson of Alexandria; brother, Joe Arness (Jen Wells) of Kenai; as well as several cousins and lifelong friends. The family thanks Dr. Kristin Mitchell, Dr. Eric Ashman, the Central Peninsula Hospital staff, Kenai Peninsula Home Health and the Nikiski Fire Department EMTs for their compassionate care.