August 9, 2023, at 0805, The Lord carried James “Jim” P. Mowrey home after a valiant and courageous four-month battle with a very aggressive cancer.

To say he fought with all that he had and gave his family every moment he could would be an understatement, for which they are and always will be eternally grateful and humbled. Jim was 44 years young at the time of his passing, having left behind his soulmate, love of his life, wife and partner, Johanna “Angela” Mowrey, and their four amazing boys: Kyler Hill (24) , Kalebh Hill (22), Caleb Mowrey (21) and Jackson Scott Mowrey (7). 

Jim was born September 22, 1978, youngest child to Mark and Linda Mowrey in Oakland Calif., as that is where the Coast Guard had stationed his father. In 1982 Jim and family moved to Fortuna, where he attended school (K-3rd) at Ambrosini Elementary, then moving on to Toddy Thomas Elementary (4th-8th) and Fortuna Union High, graduating in 1996.   

Through grade school Jim participated in Boy Scouts with Fortuna Troop 5. He took part in numerous backpacking adventures with the scouts, including hiking Yosemite Valley to the top of Half Dome and back in a day, at age 11. Jim also went on many 50-plus-mile trips through the Marble Mountains as a child. In high school Jim wrestled for the Fortuna High’s wrestling team, and this is also where he met and befriended Angela for the first time. 

After high school Jim began working for our local hospital system, working his way up to anesthesia technician, a position he held for over a decade. During this time he also attended College of the Redwoods, working toward completing his associate’s degree.

Once Jim had mastered his position as anesthesia tech and there was no more room for growth, he set out to become a law enforcement officer, attending the Police Academy at College of the Redwoods. Jim graduated Academy #96, third in his class, in spring of 2005. He returned to his position as anesthesia tech during the application process at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, which is where he and Angela reunited in July 2006, after Jim’s relentless pursuit and never again leaving each other’s sides. 

Jim and Angela, from the time they met in P.E. class in 1995, had a crazy-strong connection that can only be described as divine. They feel strongly and beyond anything earthly that they were truly made for each other. God put them in each other’s paths innumerable times throughout the 11 years prior to their finally committing to each other, the two always picking up where they had left off as though they hadn’t been apart.

Jim’s official proposal was epic, although unnecessary as they knew, from the moment they finally came together July 2006, that they were going to be married — there was never a doubt. They married two years later in July of 2008 in an intimate yet extraordinary ceremony on a Kauai beach. Jim and Angela spent the last 17 years in each other’s arms as much as humanly possible. 

Jim and Angela raised three fantastic young men together. Jim loved nothing more than time with his family. They spent many weekends over the years traveling almost year-round for Kyler and Kalebh’s baseball games, watching Caleb wrestle and, more recently, the boys’ newest hobby of drifting. Jim LOVED family camping trips every Fourth of July for his and Angela’s anniversary and the family annual camping trips to Standish Hickey, his father’s child hood home. 

There had always been talk, on and off, of having another child. They were never on the same page at the same time. One would say “yes,” the other would say “no” or vice versa. However, in 2014, Jim’s beat partner at the time, “The Ever Gorgeous Jacob Morris,” had just shared with Jim that he and his beautiful wife Melissa were expecting again. Anyone that knows Jim knows that he LOVES babies, so he was, naturally, ecstatic for Jake. Jake asked Jim, after sharing his own news, “When are you going to give Ange another baby?” Jim replied “I’m not, we have enough kids Jake.”

Jake, in his infinite wisdom, replied, “You know, if you don’t give Ange a baby she’s going to resent you for the rest of your lives.” If you know Jim, you know the relationship he and Angela shared, and you would understand how this resonated with him. These words, like most, were not lost on Jim. They really resonated with him.

Jim came back to Angela with this, asking her if that were true. She gave it some thought and after careful and honest reflection answered him: “Well, if nothing ever happens, and we live to be 80 happily ever after, then no, I won’t. But if something happens and this job takes you, I will very much want that piece of you.” To which Jim replied, “Well, I guess we’re having a baby!” And then there was Jackson, their amazing ginger monkey. 

Jim was an absolutely exceptional husband and father, truly and utterly a gift from God. He left Angela wanting for nothing, emotionally, spiritually, physically or otherwise. If it could be done he would make it happen, for no other reason than that he loved her and she him. Jim and Angela completed each other. He gave her no greater gift than the gift of his unconditional love.

On January 2, 2007, Jim became a deputy for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s. He carried himself with honor and integrity always. He took very seriously the responsibility that is to be an LEO. It was very close to his heart and very much who he was as a person.

Jim held numerous positions at the Sheriff’s Office but cherished his time on the MET team, DTF and SWAT above all others. The man LOVED to travel and see the world from a helicopter. Whether in one or hanging underneath it via STABO, it was one of his all time favorite experiences.

Jim left DTF to promote to corporal in 2016 and further promoted to sergeant in 2018. Through his 16 1/2 years he completed innumerable trainings, always striving to be his very best self, mentally and physically, and being so dedicated to the service of our community as well as to his brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Jim was always striving to elevate not only himself but also to elevate those around him. 

To say he will be missed is an understatement. We all hope to live on, honoring him and his legacy. Please learn by his example and carry him in your hearts always as he will carry us all in his. He and his family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of his bothers and sisters in blue for their love and support for him and his family during this difficult time. He was beyond moved by the love and support shown to him and his family. 

Jim is also survived by his extended family: grandfather William Barton; father Mark Mowrey; brother Donald Mowrey (Mary); nieces/nephews Mariah, Meghan, Gregory, and Rain; Uncle Dan Mowrey (Debo); Aunt Judy Thode (Carl); cousins Megan, Madeline (Scott), and James; Uncle Jerry (Sheila); cousins Weston Stickney and Josh Talbot; father-in-law Tom Walsh; brother/sister-in-law Emily Nicoles (Joseph); Shawn Aoki (Imane); and Scott Walsh (Liauna); nephew Shawn Thomas Walsh; mother-in-law Susan Cortopassi (Steve); sister-in-law Stevie Brewer (Justin); nephews/nieces Gavin, Cerenite, and Hailey; sister-in-law Natalie Cortopassi-Sisson (Brian); and nieces/nephew Eli and Harold.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother Linda Mowrey; grandmother Betty Barton; Aunt Georgie Mowrey; Uncle Jim Stickney; grandmother Norma Jean “Peggy” Thompson; and great grandparents James and Madeline Breedlove.

Please join us in honoring this exceptional man Saturday, August 26, 1300  (1 p.m.) at the Fortuna River Lodge, 1800 Riverwalk Dr. Fortuna, CA, 95540. Refreshments and libations to follow the ceremony.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.