James (Jim) Allen Katzer passed away peacefully on April 27, 2018. He was surrounded by family and being toasted until the very end of his 12-year battle with cancer. He was one tough SOB.
Jim was born on October 30, 1956 to Dan and Marian Katzer. He grew up on Talbot Hill in Renton with his older siblings Mike, Danny and Joanne, lots of cousins and best pals who knew him as “Jimmy” and “Mo”. A mischief maker and adventure seeker from the beginning, Jim had a fearless attitude, a heart of gold and a beautiful form on his falling swan dive.
Jim graduated from Renton’s Lindbergh High School with the class of 1975. After graduation, he attended cooking school at Renton Technical College. His professional culinary career was short lived but his breakfast potatoes are still a famous staple for anyone who has woken up at the Farm after a long night of bonfires, pickle ball, and probably one too many libations.
After hanging up his professional chef hat, Jim got into the construction industry and never looked back. A skilled carpenter, successful business owner and proud Union member; his work can be seen on city high rises and throughout the neighborhoods of western Washington. His most prized project was the 1920’s farmhouse that he and Julie remodeled; an oasis known as The Katzer Farm in Kingston that the family has called home for the past 27 years.
Jim loved to be outside, in the mountains and on skis; passions that he passed along to his children in what he described as his life’s greatest joy. He was a ski instructor in the racing program at Snoqualmie and was known for overnight, non-stop road trips in his old Datsun pickup to ski POW across the western U.S. His buddy Johnny was always a willing accomplice, and when Julie came into the picture, she was right there with them.
Jim was a one of a kind husband, father, friend and jack of all trades. He loved skiing, tinkering around the Farm, weekend adventures on the peninsula with Julie, and he had some of the best dance moves you’ve ever seen. Working in the yard, surrounded by his dogs, kids on the property, cold beverage in hand and music bumping on the outdoor speakers – that was dad’s perfect day.
He is survived by his wife Julie, the love of his life and adventure buddy of 34 years; children Auggie (Lacey), and Leah (Matt); siblings Mike (Linda), Danny (Erin), Joanne Bradshaw (Bill), and Barbara Gatewood (Bob); in-laws Judy and Dick Harwood; brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Lisa Woods; numerous extended family; countless friends; and his 3 Australian Shepherds, Kali, Cody and Josie. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Marian and Dan Katzer.
