James Richard Hoffnauer

Jim Hoffnauer was born May 29, 1940 in Ellensburg, WA to Bill and Peggy Hoffnauer. He graduated from Central Washington College, and married Donna Walters December 29, 1962. Jim always told Donna he married her for her family, and Roy and Stella treated him as their own.

Jim spent more than 30 years at Boeing, working on many aerospace and military programs. During the first big Boeing layoff, he had his pink slip in hand, and learned at noon his last day he had been reassigned instead. He retired as a subcontracts manager July 1, 1995, then returned as a contractor negotiating contracts with NASA until Donna retired.

Jim grew up hunting and fishing, and spent many years at Elk Camp with Roy, Kurt and Ron. He spent his 75th birthday on his last family camping trip there. The picture collage of that trip is proudly displayed.

Jim loved sports. He played football in high school, and loved watching the Seahawks and Mariners. He started golfing when he retired, and his Hole in One trophy still sits on the mantle in Kent.

Jim enjoyed travel, and particularly loved Hawaii and cruising. Before their first cruise, Jim's biggest travel wish was to cruise on The Love Boat. Jamie and Kippy scrimped to get he and their Mom into the cheapest cabin. When secretly collecting stories for a 40th anniversary video, Dad said, "We didn't do anything for our 25th anniversary, and Kippy responded, "Are you out of your mind!?! Love Boat?"

Family meant everything to Jim, and his grandchildren were his greatest joy. His baby girl Tira Kay, Kiran "The Bum", Asher Dasher, and Michael "The Moose" meant everything to him. As Tira said after he passed, "Oh Grandpa, you can't really be gone. You were supposed to be home in just a few more weeks. I know you're up there catching up with Aunt Doreen and dancing with the angels. It doesn't actually feel real... You'll always be with us, and your love will always carry on. I love you so much Grandpa."

Jim died peacefully and went home to his lord and savior Jesus Christ on February 2, 2023, from his winter home in Desert Hot Springs, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peggy and Wilbert Hoffnauer, sister Doreen Black, and sister-in-law Sandra Hiatt. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Donna Hoffnauer, daughters Jamie Chakrabarty and Kippy (Kurt) Weinhold, grandchildren Tira and Kiran Chakrabarty and Ashley and Michael Weinhold, brothers-in-law Dick (Raylene) Hiatt and Ron Black and many cherished nieces, nephew, cousins, "adopted" children and grandchildren, and friends.

A Celebration of Life and reception will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 2pm at Light of Life Lutheran Church, 28525 216th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042. A separate informal gathering will follow in Desert Hot Springs at Wagner Mobile Park clubhouse the afternoon of March 11.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Altzheimer's Association. Condolences and memories may be shared at Legacy.com.