Obituary for James Edward Weitzel
James E. (Jim) Weitzel, longtime Grant County, Washington resident and businessman, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
He was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1931, the son of August and Francis M. Weitzel.
In 1932, the family moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin during the great depression and he attended St. Thomas Aquinas grade school.
The family moved to Oklahoma City for a short time. And then in 1946 moved to Peoria, Illinois and Jim joined the Illinois Air National Guard in 1947, and served during the Korean Conflict.
On April 21, 1951 Jim married the love of his life, Dorothy May Williams, in Peoria, and in 1956, they moved to Reno, Nevada, where he worked for the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and was commissioned in the Nevada ANG.
In 1957, he became an engineering writer with Gilfillan Brothers and then Hughes Aircraft Company where he entered management, all while serving in the California ANG, rising to the rank of Captain.
They moved to Seattle, Washington in 1965, where he was with the Boeing Company until 1971 when they bought a farm in George, Washington. The Weitzel’s enjoyed raising their five sons and one daughter on the farm.
Jim was licensed as a real estate agent in 1971, and became a broker in 1982. From 1983 until 1987, he served as a Grant County Commissioner, and in 1987, started a real estate office of his own. He was Chairman of the Grant County Noxious Weed Board, Grant County Commissioner, president of the Hay Association, Ephrata Rotary, Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, member of the Art Semro American Legion Post 28 in Ephrata, and many Republican and civic organizations in Grant and King counties.
Jim was a Honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, Past Grand Knight, Past District Deputy, Past Faithful Navigator and a member of the Honor Guard.
Jim, Dorothy and their family were active in Knights of Columbus, church, and community activities.
Jim stayed active in the real estate business for about 42+ years, serving in the local Realtors Association, teaching real estate classes at Big Bend Community College, and the Gary Mann Real Estate School in Ephrata. He enjoyed teaching and training new agents – Jim loved the business and worked until his passing.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy M Weitzel; son Paul S. Weitzel; his parents; and brother Lawrence (Joan) Weitzel.
Jim is survived by his children – James A. (Vicki) Weitzel of Ephrata, Wash.; Randolph M. Weitzel (Pam) of Ephrata, Wash.; Michael K. (Angie) Weitzel of Richland, Wash., Rebecca S. (John) Schoultz of Spokane, Wash., Brian D. (Wendy) Weitzel of Spokane, Wash.; many grandchildren; and great grandchildren.
A private family graveside service will be held.
Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.
He was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1931, the son of August and Francis M. Weitzel.
In 1932, the family moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin during the great depression and he attended St. Thomas Aquinas grade school.
The family moved to Oklahoma City for a short time. And then in 1946 moved to Peoria, Illinois and Jim joined the Illinois Air National Guard in 1947, and served during the Korean Conflict.
On April 21, 1951 Jim married the love of his life, Dorothy May Williams, in Peoria, and in 1956, they moved to Reno, Nevada, where he worked for the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and was commissioned in the Nevada ANG.
In 1957, he became an engineering writer with Gilfillan Brothers and then Hughes Aircraft Company where he entered management, all while serving in the California ANG, rising to the rank of Captain.
They moved to Seattle, Washington in 1965, where he was with the Boeing Company until 1971 when they bought a farm in George, Washington. The Weitzel’s enjoyed raising their five sons and one daughter on the farm.
Jim was licensed as a real estate agent in 1971, and became a broker in 1982. From 1983 until 1987, he served as a Grant County Commissioner, and in 1987, started a real estate office of his own. He was Chairman of the Grant County Noxious Weed Board, Grant County Commissioner, president of the Hay Association, Ephrata Rotary, Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, member of the Art Semro American Legion Post 28 in Ephrata, and many Republican and civic organizations in Grant and King counties.
Jim was a Honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus, Past Grand Knight, Past District Deputy, Past Faithful Navigator and a member of the Honor Guard.
Jim, Dorothy and their family were active in Knights of Columbus, church, and community activities.
Jim stayed active in the real estate business for about 42+ years, serving in the local Realtors Association, teaching real estate classes at Big Bend Community College, and the Gary Mann Real Estate School in Ephrata. He enjoyed teaching and training new agents – Jim loved the business and worked until his passing.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy M Weitzel; son Paul S. Weitzel; his parents; and brother Lawrence (Joan) Weitzel.
Jim is survived by his children – James A. (Vicki) Weitzel of Ephrata, Wash.; Randolph M. Weitzel (Pam) of Ephrata, Wash.; Michael K. (Angie) Weitzel of Richland, Wash., Rebecca S. (John) Schoultz of Spokane, Wash., Brian D. (Wendy) Weitzel of Spokane, Wash.; many grandchildren; and great grandchildren.
A private family graveside service will be held.
Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.