James "Gary" Wise

James “Gary” Wise was born April 5, 1944 in Billings, Montana to James “Lee” and Anita “Carol” Wise. Gary’s father worked for the Milwaukee Road so they moved around to several small towns in Montana, but Gary’s favorite was Lewistown. As a young boy, he spent a lot of time fishing and hunting. After high school he worked for the railroad as a telegrapher before enlisting in the Navy in 1964. After school and one west pac cruise on the USS Dale, he was transferred to the USS Samuel Gompers stationed in Bremerton. That summer he volunteered through the Servicemen Center to be a counselor at camp for “underprivileged kids”. That’s when he met Charlene, she was also a counselor. By October they were engaged and Gary left of another west pac cruise. They wrote letters daily really getting to know each other. Married on August 3, 1968, they began a lifetime together. But first Gary had another west pac cruise! These were 8 months long! Another daily letter exchange. You learn a lot putting feelings into words. When the next cruise was coming, Gary requested going to Long Beach, California from San Diego. The Navy sent him to Norfolk, Virginia for six weeks then to Philadelphia a temporary duty station, then to be stationed in Hawaii!

After being discharged in Philadelphia in 1970, Gary and Charlene made their first real home in Lexington, Kentucky. Gary worked for General Telephone and attended the University of Kentucky where he caught basketball fever! A year later Jodi was born, she has the same condition! GO BIG BLUE! In 1974 now a family, they moved back to Port Orchard where Gary got his real estate license. Their first son Jim arrived about Super Bowl Sunday, so no basketball fever. He was named after Gary’s Dad, James Lee Wise, who passed away in November of 1973.

Gary’s desire to serve the Lord led the family to Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It wasn’t long before Joe joined the family. With raising a family, Gary left school to work full time. First he was a Corrections Officer for the state, but he moved to retail sales to become K-Mart’s first combination automotive-sporting good department manager. He enjoyed retail much more than corrections!!

One more time we felt the need to return to the Bremerton area. So in 1981 we moved home. With Gary’s automotive experience he was hired at Top Auto and soon became a manager. It was the first time he joined Kiwanis, serving as president there and in Poulsbo.
The next few years Gary changed companies now and then, but stayed in the automotive field. He was an outside salesman, a rent a salesman, and a counterman. But at 62, he was ready to retire.

Gary joined Kiwanis in Bremerton a couple of years ago and was currently serving as president. He was also a volunteer at the Puget Sound Navy Museum gift shop in Bremerton where he was awarded volunteer of the last quarter. He really enjoyed serving both these organizations and made many friends.

Gary bought his first camera in Japan on his first of three west pac cruises. He taught himself photography and always had a camera close by. He was a gifted photographer. He did a few weddings and lots of family shots, but he really enjoyed creating photographs. Gary was an avid reader. He read lots of history especially World War II and Ancestry was a passion. Gary was a teacher, preacher and counselor, but really enjoyed one on one Bible studies. He was able to finish college and receive a Bachelor of Christian Education degree. Writing a book was on his list – and he did finish one, although it was never published.

Gary leaves behind his wife Charlene of 47 Years; son Jim; daughter Jodi (Dean) Kandlik of Poulsbo and Joe, his youngest. Gary had 2 grandson William and Mitchell Kandlik and many nieces and nephews. His mom, Carol Wise and sister Peggy (Bill) who live in Trout Creek, Montana. His brother Wendall "Skip" passed away in 2008.

Gary was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son and friend. He was a hugger. He wanted you to know he cared. Each of these relationships were important to him.

Condolences can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 705, Burley, WA 98322.