James G. "Jim" Stohr

James Gavin Stohr, age 79, longtime Yakima area resident died April 19, 2011 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. He was born April 29, 1931 in Yakima, WA to parents Warren and Thelma (Murphy) Stohr.

He attended Marquette High School and graduated from Yakima High in 1949. He served in the US Air Force 315th Air Division Sgt. 3rd Class during the Korean War from 1951 -1954.

He married Janet Marie Dietzen on September 10, 1955 at St Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima. He managed Dietzen’s Thriftway for 18 years before he became known as “The Dairy Queen Man” after purchasing the Hillcrest Dairy Queen on Summitview in 1973. He created many fond DQ memories for his family and others in the Yakima area. He also owned and operated the Wapato Dairy Queen and Meadowbrook Dairy Queen in the West Valley area. After retirement from Dairy Queen, he went to work for Wray’s Thriftway. He loved meeting and greeting people and loved good honest work.

Jim was a former member of the Elks Club, the Exchange Club, Westwood West Golf Club and served on the Board of Dairy Queen of the Pacific Northwest.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet; three daughters, Nancy and husband Tom Whittle of Moses Lake, WA; Karen and husband John Stevenson of Spokane, WA; Pam and husband Kirk Werner of Duvall, WA; four grandchildren, Corey and Cameron Whittle; Taylor Marie and Nikolas Werner; his brother Robert Stanley Stohr of Yakima and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Reverend Richard Stohr, and his sister Dororthy Stohr Probach.

A Vigil service will be held at Holy Family Chapel on Monday, April 26, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations are suggested to Cottage in the Meadow, Hospice Center and the Lazarus Day Center, a homeless shelter for the elderly established by his brother Fr. Richard Stohr in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

Jim was blessed with many wonderful friends over the years and the family would especially like to thank RD Dalebout for all the lunch dates. For an online guest book and to celebrate the life of Jim visit www.keithandkeith.com.

under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.