Jim was born on July 25, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland to James Leven McLain, Jr. and Kathryn Mary Paul. He passed away peacefully on November 13, 2020, at his home on Bainbridge Island. He was the eldest of six children. His early memories in Baltimore were happy with special memories spent on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters. Particularly special were times spent fishing and crabbing on the Chesapeake with his brother, Paul. Jim graduated from Baltimore City College in 1964. Soon after, he was accepted into the apprentice program of the United Association and became a journeyman union plumber and pipefitter working on large commercial projects. In 1970, Jim enlisted in the Navy and served in Viet Nam as a Seabee. Upon returning stateside, his final duty was at Camp David, Maryland. Jim’s interests were many. He loved the natural world and was endlessly fascinated by it. He enjoyed gardening, history, archaeology, and genealogy. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Jim’s greatest joy was taking care of his home and property, his beautiful Arabian horses, his sheep, and dogs and cats. He was an engineer at heart and could engineer and fabricate a tool or engineer a solution to any challenge. Jim married the “love of his life”, Victoria Kirkman, and they spent the last 34 years together on property that has been in Victoria’s family for three generations. In 2018 they sold a portion of that property to the Bainbridge Island Land Trust creating the Miller-Kirkman Preserve. Jim will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and a true gentleman. Jim is survived by his wife, Victoria Kirkman, daughters, Lauren McLain of Bainbridge Island and Candice McLain of Whidbey Island, his Aunt Mary Paul of British Columbia. Brothers: Paul McLain (Robbie) of Fall City John McLain of Whidbey Island Sisters: Victoria Bach (Dave) of Bellevue Martha McLain Downer (Jeff) of Seattle Grandchildren: Xander McLain-Klein of Naples, Italy Maddox McLain-Klein of Naples, Italy Serena McLain of Whidbey Island Madeleine Muniz of Whidbey Island Jim's sisters and brothers in Law; Susan Kellogg and husband Darryn of Carlsbad, CA., Karen Gibson, Steve Pearce of Oceanside, CA., and Ken Kirkman and his wife Diana of Careywood Idaho, and Cathy Doney and husband Nick of Silverdale, WA., along with numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, brother; Keith McLain, and nephew; Paul C. McLain, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to West Sound Wildlife Shelter, Bainbridge Island Land Trust, or to a charity of your choice. Private interment will take place in Hillcrest Cemetery on Bainbridge Island. Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.