Letters | McKiernan family is grateful for Valley friendships

Published 6:18 pm Monday, December 19, 2011

Karen, Lynnae and I have to say the last few weeks have been extremely difficult. No parent should have to lose a child, and the process of tying up loose ends, cleaning out his home, making arrangements for a funeral and the occasional tear that comes in a quiet moment was all made much easier because of all of you.

I said it at the service, the measure of a person’s life is how many pay tribute after taking that last breath. It was obvious by the amount of love and support, that we have received, that James had a huge impact on the Valley. We are also comforted that you all had such a huge impact on our entire family.

We may have moved physically to Moses Lake, but our hearts will forever be in the Snoqualmie Valley. It’s a great place to raise a family, to develop friendships, to get involved, and to make a difference.

As Karen and I have talked this last week, we consistently came back to the question, “How are we ever going to thank all our friends?” No words or actions can possibly tell you how much you all mean to us, from the first friends showing up at our house as we were receiving news to the constant calls, Facebook posts, cards, flowers and text messages. You are all very special to us and we will always be there for you.

Specifically we have to thank our Walker Warehouse gang. Jim, Cindy, daughters and that close-knit circle of friends that are the pillars of the community. Stephanie Huber, Patti Cabe, Patty Westover, Kelly Moe and the 50-plus people who showed up to help plan the food. Wow, that was amazing. The City of Snoqualmie, providing police escort, fire personnel at attention, fire trucks lining the route to the Fall City cemetery, thank you for making it something special. Our families, which, including extended family, numbered near 50 on Saturday, but most importantly my brother Doug, who has been with us every step of the way. A special thanks to our Blue Lake family, Randy, my pseudo brother and his family, the Gopals, and all the others who made it a special place for James. Thanks to the Jensen family for all their support and friendship over the last three years.

Thanks to the pall bearers, all the best of friends. Monty Wright did an amazing job at the service and thanks to Charlie Kinnune for the impact he has had on hundreds of Valley youth, including James. We would be remiss if we didn’t say thank you to the staff at the High School and Snoqualmie Valley School district. For those who attended the service you saw an amazing performer, Austin Jenckes, sing and play guitar. Austin was a fun kid to coach in Viking football and is a gifted performer. He will be famous some day and James loved his music. Finally, thanks to Connell Grain Growers for giving a college graduate a chance, he really loved that job.

For those wishing to remember James in a special way, please donate to the James McKiernan Memorial Scholarship fund at Mount Si High School. All the money collected will be used to help young athletes pay for the extra things that go along with wanting to play sports. Organized youth sports were extremely important in developing his character and we firmly believe it made him a much better, compassionate, driven young man. Donations can be mailed to or dropped off at the High School office.

Jim, Karen and Lynnae McKiernan