James R. Collette III, known to most as Jim, was born January 23, 1951, to James and Nadine (Klassen) Collette of Joes, Colorado. He died April 23, 2025, in Renton, WA at age 74.
His first 18 years were spent on the family farm. Many hours were spent on his beloved 1958 Allis Chalmers working in the dryland fields. He also had time to join 4-H specializing in Electricity and Entomology projects. He learned to play guitar, joined the Lambert Band and developed a love of singing with his beautiful, deep, bass voice. He had several hobbies including hunting but his most notable was photography. He was the family photographer, documenting our daily lives. The dark room he built produced many lasting family memories. His childhood and adulthood were plagued with an inoperable heart condition, but his fighting spirit never let him want anything but normalcy.
He went to NJC for two years and then to CSU to study Environmental Health and graduated in 1973. After an internship, his first job was with Washington County Health Department, inspecting restaurants, sewer systems, and school lunchrooms, etc. He bought his first home in Akron.
In 1980, looking for new horizons, he attended Goodland Northwest Kansas Technical School and studied Drafting. At the top of his class, he secured a job at Black & Veach in Kansas City, MO. What bravery it must have taken for a country boy to leave family and friends, facing questionable health, and move to a large city where he knew no one. He thrived though, bought his second of four homes and met the loves of his life- Judy and her son Jason. They were married and adopted and lived a full life in Kansas City, MO. Jim and Judy were active members of the Catholic Church. Jim sang in the choir, attended Jason’s many baseball games and enjoyed making improvements on their small acreage.
After 25 years at B & V and in retirement Jim & Judy moved to Puyallup, WA to enjoy being close to their son, the lower altitude and beautiful scenery. In 2019 Judy’s health suddenly declined and she passed away leaving Jim sad and lonely. Jim sold their beautiful home in Puyallup and moved into Merrill Garden Retirement Home. Being closer yet to his son and making new friends, he was content.
Passing beyond life before him were his wife of 22 years, Judy; parents, James & Nadine Collette; sister, Julie Scruby; and Grandparents, Ralph & Alva Collette and Jacob & Veda Klassen. Left to miss him are his son, Jason and wife Mary; sister, Cindy Richards and husband Ron; brother-in-law, Vince Scruby; nephews, nieces, family and friends. A memorial will be held later this summer.