Jim Drennan was born in Joplin, Missouri on March 22, 1935, to Jim and Gladys Drennan. Living in the Bible Belt, he was raised in church and loved to sing. He wanted to be like his big brother, who was a choir director. He sang at every opportunity.

He started working at sixteen yrs old. By the time he graduated high school in 1953, Jim had been spending his summers working in Anacortes, Washington where his sister lived. He attended Joplin Junior College on a football scholarship, but fell in love and got married before completing his degree. The couple moved to Washington.

Jim worked in Anacortes at the Scott Paper mill until it closed. He also began to sing at weddings and funerals. He became interested in the funeral business and applied for work there. He was offered an apprenticeship in Port Angeles, at McDonald Funeral Home, which he accepted. He also worked part of his two-year apprenticeship at Harper Funeral Home. The two chapels were purchased by Uniservice Corporation.

To be a licensed mortician one is required to have completed two years of college, a two-year apprenticeship, and one year of specialized training in addition to a rigorous exam. Jim completed his degree at Skagit Valley College. As a student, he was in a musical play called "The Boyfriend." This sparked an interest in theater. He then moved South to attend the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, California, while working full time at a large Funeral Home in Whittier. He graduated in 1962.

Jim returned to Port Angeles that year. He Joined the First Christian Church and became the Choir Director. Not long after that, Grace Charnell, the director of the Community Players, asked him to be in a play, which was a great success. That experience gave Jim such pleasure that he went on to be in more than 52 plays in the Port Angeles Community Theater.

In 1990, Jim at last saw his dream come true, when he and a friend and fellow employee Steve Ford opened the Drennan Ford Funeral Home and Crematory.

After 42 years serving Clallam County as a licensed Mortician, Jim retired in 2002.

He was a member of Port Angeles Kiwanis Club, Community Players, Olympic Theatre Arts, First Christian Church, P.A.L.O.A., Kalahanie Koi Club and Elks Club.

He is survived by wife Laurine Drennan, Snohomish: Son Guy and wife Lizette Drennan, Vancouver, Washington, Daughter DiAnna Hill and husband Bob Hill of Port Angeles, Step daughter Suzanne of Snohomish, Karen Gerrodette of Seattle; eight grandchildren David, Adriana, Deja, Marissa, Kyle, Rebecca, Micaela, and Carter; great grandchild Isabelle

Visitation will be held from Noon - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13 at Drennan & Ford Funeral Home, 260 Monroe Rd., Port Angeles.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 14th also at the funeral home, followed by graveside services at Ocean View Cemetery.

Please sign the online guestbook for Jim's family at www.drennanford.com .