James "Jim" Norris Dofelmier

James “Jim” Norris Dofelmier

Jim Dofelmier went home to be with the Lord early Saturday morning on October 2, 2021. He died peacefully in his own home with his loving wife and daughter at his side.

Jim was born on March 13, 1942 (on a Friday no less) in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. He never knew his Dad as he passed away in his late 30’s of a massive heart attack when Jim was only three. As a result, his mother had to go to work…a tragic experience with three little kids because she could no longer take care of them. Jim and his siblings spent the next seven to eight years in five different foster homes, including one year in a Catholic Academy. To say the least, it was a very sad experience for them but the three siblings were always together and they truly survived because they were family and the Lord had His hand upon their lives.

At the young age of nine, Jim walked to a little church down the road from his foster home all by himself and attended a vacation Bible school. The seed was planted at that time and it began to grow. When Jim reached the age of 36, he totally committed his life to Christ while attending Faith Tabernacle Church with his brother Larry and friend Pete Darancette who were true mentors to him.

His mother remarried when he was eleven to Earl Crossan and they welcomed his half-sister Cathy into their lives. Earl worked for the government in a very low paying position and in order to keep his job, he was forced to move many times. When the family had to move to Kennewick, Washington during his sophomore and junior years he was disappointed but found life was good there and he was the happiest ever. He made strong lifetime friendships with a few boys and still remained in contact with them until his passing. He thrived in track and field at Kennewick High School and he even broke the school record in the 60 yard dash, which he was always very proud of. But then in the summer of his junior year, they were once again forced to move to Seattle. Jim was very sad to leave Kennewick but ended up his senior year graduating from Ballard High School in 1960. He went back to Kennewick the following summer after graduation and worked in the canneries and fought wild fires. He had several close calls during the fire fighting days but the Lord continued to have His hand upon his life and kept him safe.

In 1961 Jim joined the Air Force and was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in California. He was a small arms instructor and trained many young men who were heading off to the Vietnam War. During his time in the military from 1961 to 1965, he was appointed twice to be the Presidential Honor Guard for President Kennedy…that was quite an accomplishment and honor for him!

After he was discharged from the Air Force, Jim came back to Seattle and worked a short time for Boeing. When they changed his hours to swing shift, he decided that was not the shift suited for him so he quit. He sold cars for a while and then ended up selling real estate and focused on going to college. During this time, he married and was blessed with two beautiful children Karyn and Greg. Unfortunately that marriage did not survive and he ended up with full custody of the children. It was a very challenging time, selling real estate, going to college full time and attending to his children. Fortunately his mother was there to help in this time of need. He attended Green River College in Auburn and then went on to graduate from the University of Washington with a Batchelor Degree in Business in 1974.

He was quite successful in the real estate business managing two offices Rede Realty and Elite Realty. He opened up his own office, James Norris & Associates in Shoreline, Wash. in the early 80’s. Then after closing the James Norris office, he went into the mortgage business working for Alpine Mortgage in Lynnwood and Skyline Mortgage in Seattle. For many years after leaving the mortgage business, he kept his license so that he could assist family and friends with a home loan and was happy to give good advice and guidance to them.

Jim met his soul mate Bonnie along with her four year old son Andrew in 1979 and they married the same year. Two families joined together and he felt so blessed to have a completed family.

In the early 90’s Jim started working with Bonnie part time for Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing in Lynnwood, Washington. He started working full time in 1996, and began serving as President on the Board of Directors in 2018. Jim corresponded with each individual who supported the ministry every month with an encouraging personal letter of thanks. Many were inspired and blessed by his letters and even saved them in a notebook to read over again…this was truly his calling and he loved it.

When Jim was in his early 50’s he was diagnosed with atherosclerosis and emphysema and the doctors told him he probably would not see 60. Jim would not accept that and he asked the Lord for 20 more years. God was gracious and gave him 25! He knew that his life was in the Lord’s hands and he was always optimistic about the future.

Jim enjoyed all sports. One of his favorite memories was coaching the Kenmore Little League Red Sox’s for his son Andrew. He later went on to coach the All Star Team that took first place in the state. He loved golfing with Bonnie and with his family and friends. His highlight playing golf was finally getting a hole in one in 2017. That unfortunately was the last year he was able to golf. He was well known on the golf course “as the character on the golf cart with oxygen”. Jim also enjoyed walking every week day morning at the Alderwood Mall with the early bird mall walkers. He enjoyed conversing with the people and He was well known there. He would give a smile and a wave to everyone who passed by. Jim would always quote the oldest mall walker who is 98... “If you’re still walking they can’t bury you”.

Even though Jim was physically limited the last few years, he always enjoyed spending time with his precious grandchildren, Hudson, Zane and Aria. Hopefully they will always remember him and know how much they meant to him. Jim would want to be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, a good friend and a man whose faith was in God.

Jim, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race. We will miss you beyond words! We look forward to the day when we will meet again, face to face in Heaven with you and our Lord Jesus Christ.

A funeral service for Jim will be held Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4504 Broadway, Everett, WA 98203. A committal service and reception following will occur at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Greg Dofelmier, Andrew Dance, Jeff Belmonte, Darren Dofelmier, Kyle Dofelmier and Ryan Dofelmier.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to In lieu of flowers gifts/donations may be made to Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society at http://www.kenyons.org/ or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-FH.com for the Dofelmier family.