Everett Steelhead and Salmon Youth Organization

James H. “Jim” Brauch was born October 9th, 1944 in Washington D. C. and passed away February 18th 2015 after a valiant battle with a rare cancer.

Jim was a lifelong resident of Everett graduating from Everett High School in 1962 after attending Baker Heights Elementary and North Junior.

Directly after graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps fulfilling his duty from 1962 to 1968 with Charlie Battery 1st Battalion 11th Marines. Jim saw combat while serving in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966.

Making good use of the GI Bill, Jim attended Everett Community College, the University of Washington and obtained a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Western Washington University. He served the Everett Police Department for twenty five years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant. Jim participated with the police choir “The Thin Blue Line” for many years.

Jim could not “retire” but rather kept himself busy working for Public Safety testing doing background investigations for prospective hires at Police and Fire Departments. He was always generous in giving of his time and became a sought out mentor to young police officers.

Jim taught many classes as a substitute teacher at Sno-Isle Skill Center; one of which was the Criminal Justice class for young adults assisting them to define and follow their dreams. He was a Guardian Ad Litem for at-risk children in the community.  He served as President of the South Everett Youth Center focusing on after school programs; helping children make new friends, play sports and provide a quiet place to complete homework.

Jim loved fishing and educating children on how to fish and preserve our salmon, streams, lakes and wildlife. He was a founding and lifetime member of the Everett Steelhead and Salmon Club. His dedication to both the Club and the Community was displayed through generously volunteering his time with the incredible programs “Salmon for Soldiers” and “Everett Blind Derby”.  He wrote monthly articles for the “Reel News” newsletter and served as an auctioneer for the annual  Sno-King Coastal Conservation Association banquet, as well as many other events. Jim, along with two others, began the annual Everett Coho Derby.

If you can’t tell already, his passion was fishing! His fish stories always included a first catch, total catch and largest fish caught. 

Jim combined his love of fishing and passion for helping children by creating fishing events teaching the basics.  He taught fishing classes through the Everett Parks Department at Thornton A. Sullivan Park. As Founder and President of The Everett Steelhead and Salmon Youth Organization, his prevailing philosophy, “Give a Kid a Fish, Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Kid to Fish, Feed Him for Life.”  He developed and led kids fishing events known as “fish-ins” at Thornton A. Sullivan Park (Silver Lake), Jennings Park, Evergreen State Spring Carnival, Cabela’s and Twin Lakes County Park (North Gissberg Pond). He was instrumental in getting the North Gissberg Pond designated for children 14 and under only; the crowning achievement in Jim’s goal to introduce children to fishing and teach them about the great outdoors.  Children would return year after year reminding everyone that Jim “always makes sure I catch a fish!”

Jim graciously and energetically combined his passion for youth and fishing, influencing and positively affecting the lives of hundreds of children in our community.  His life work and dedication has had immeasurable impact on his family, children and grandchildren, Police and Fire Department family, Fishing family, his close college friends and fellow Marine buddies and hundreds of children.  He was truly loved and valued by his family and friends. His constant and endless supply of humor will be greatly missed by all of us. 

May we all aspire to “cast our line and reel in life” the way he did.