James Hamre Age 61, of Puyallup, WA, passed away on December 18, 2017. A generous and loving man who made friends wherever he went, Jim spent his life "railfanning" and enjoyed world-travel, photography, gardening, and rooting for the Mariners. He was born on March 30, 1956 in Miles City, MT. The family moved to Puyallup in1969. Railroads were in his blood. Both his parents and his two grandfathers worked for the railroad. Jim was a boy scout who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Rogers High School and Washington State University, and worked for the Milwaukee Road railroad during his college years. He worked for 33 years at WSDOT as a civil engineer, and later as manager of their IT department. He retired early to have more time to travel. He went to Switzerland three times just to ride their trains. His last trip was to Normandy, France to see the beach where his dad landed in WWII. Jim was a lector at All Saints Parish for many years. Every week he could be found volunteering at St. Francis House, where he was also on the board of directors. A tireless advocate for public transportation; he was vice president of All Aboard Washington and was the newsletter editor since 1988. He was also on the board of directors of The Rail Passengers Association (formerly NARP). Most of all, Jim loved family. He was an amazing and caring son, brother, and uncle, who showed his nieces and nephews D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Yellowstone Park, and many other places of historical interest. Jim is survived by his mother Carolyn (n‚e Cavanaugh) Hamre; brothers Thomas (Kristi) Hamre and Michael Hamre; sister Mary (Marty) Kellogg; sister-in-law Debbie Hamre; nieces and nephews Brian (Amber) Hamre, Christopher Hamre, Laura Hamre, Sarah (Adam) Edelstein, Rachel (James) Topper, and Benjamin Hamre; seven great-nieces and great-nephews; and a large extended family. Jim was preceded in death by his father Alvin and his brother Martin. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Francis house in Puyallup or All Aboard Washington. Please leave online condolences at www.powersfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Powers Funeral Home, (253) 845-0536.

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Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Dec. 24, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for JAMES HAMRE

Sponsored by Powers Funeral Home.

6 Entries

Kay Carlson

December 30, 2017

I knew Jim from St. Francis House! He was a joy to work with. I only worked with him once a week. He was so kind and had a wonderful heart.

John MacDonald

December 28, 2017

Jim was one of my best friends and former college roommate at WSU. He loved the Mariners and the WSU Cougars but his real passion was trains. He was a dedicated and fierce advocate for passenger rail travel and loved to go rail fanning. He also showed his love for others with his volunteer service at the clothes bank. We shared a love for Cougar athletics I will miss you buddy.

Robert Lawrence

December 27, 2017

While I was still a Calif. native. I met Jim on the train from Chicago to DC NARP meeting in the 1980's. He was very friendly and worked hard at advocating for better passenger train service. I moved up to the PNW in 1997 and became active with WASHARP now All Aboard WA. We shared a lot of good trips and memories together over all these years. In loving memory of a wonderful person.

Ivan Christensen

December 24, 2017

Your life was an inspiration. May it continue to dwell in our hearts forever.

Steve Spear

December 24, 2017

Jim, thanks for being a good friend. It was great to travel with you on many adventures around the U.S. Your efforts to make the world a better place will benefit many generations.

Ron Sheck

December 24, 2017

I remember Jim as a warm, kind and caring person; and a most enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of rail passenger travel. He was a true believer who walked the talk and a leader of others in the advocacy community; which he believed started with his own nieces and nephews. I enjoyed our friendship and times together at various meetings and events he hosted in the backyard of the home he shared with his mother. We had opportunities on several occasions to talk about rail travel abroad and he always returned with renewed energy after those trips to continue the battle for better rail service. I'm proud to have been Jim's friend; I am deeply saddened at his all too early and tragic departure.

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