James Francis Kruger

James Francis KRUGER Jim Kruger died November 27th after a prolonged struggle to overcome a combination of ailments, including partial kidney failure. He was born August 2, 1937 and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. Jim served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1959, including special duty at the Eisenhower Summer White House in Newport, Rhode Island. He studied architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design where he met his wife, Julia. He worked as an urban planner for the City of Providence, R. I. and for the Borough of Anchorage, Alaska. In 1967 Jim and Julia moved to Seattle, where he received Bachelor and Masters degrees in Urban Planning from the UW. While there, Jim was instrumental in establishing the Experimental College. Upon graduation, Jim worked for the consulting division of Mathematical Sciences Northwest where he wrote major portions of the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Statements for the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline project. Jim had broad public interests. He served as director of the Northend Housing Cooperative, now the PNA Well Home Program, was a legislative aide to King County Councilwoman, Cynthia Sullivan for many years and worked for the King County Ombudsman's and Tax Advisor's office for several years. In addition, he was active in the 32nd District Democratic organization as well as the Wallingford Community Council. Recent interests centered on the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society, cooking fabulous meals, raising dahlias, and expanding his baseball card collection. Jim will be remembered for his strong opinions, great love for family and friends, beautiful dahlias, bumptious enthusiasm, and especially for his infectious laughter. Survivors include his wife Julia, sons David and Jeremy, all of Seattle, sister Joanne Kruger Juechter and Richard Koh of Mt. Kisko, N.Y., sister Gael Kruger Flemming of Providence, R. I., brother Paul William Kruger of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Shoreline Unitarian-Universalist Church on Sat. Jan. 31, 2004 from 2-4 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the Fremont Public Association in Seattle, WA., the DaVinci Center in Providence, R. I., or the organization of your choice.