Jim Peckenpaugh

April 14, 1942-March 14, 2025

James Albert “Jim” Peckenpaugh III grew up in Kitsap County with his parents and younger brother, Jack. At 22, he joined the Air Force to avoid being drafted into the army and to gain the opportunity to earn a college degree. He was sent to study meteorology at UW Madison, a hub of activism during the Vietnam War era. A small-town boy found himself transformed by the times—though the long hair didn’t come until after his service.

In 1966, Jim married Charlotte Oakes. He attended Officer Training School and was stationed in the Philippines as a Captain, briefing pilots on weather conditions. Later stationed in the D.C. area, he earned a Master’s in Political Science. After his discharge, he traveled across Europe in a VW camper before returning to Seattle, where he became the real weatherman on KING 5 TV in 1972. He later moved to Pullman, WA, earning an MS in Environmental Engineering at WSU.

After divorcing, Jim relocated to Arizona, where in 1978, he met Susan Partnow, the love of his life. A few years later, their daughter, Jessica, was born in San Diego. Becoming a father changed Jim profoundly, inspiring him to leave his job at San Diego Gas & Electric and spend six months traveling the country with Susan and Jessica before returning to the Pacific Northwest.

Settling in Seattle, Jim became a tax preparer and financial planner, allowing him to work from home and care for his family (baby Tyler arrived in 1985). He was a kind and adventurous man, a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, and a gentle caretaker to the many animals he loved over the years.

Jim battled cancer multiple times and, since 2018, lived valiantly with a feeding tube and electrolarynx. He passed away peacefully at home on March 14, surrounded by family, just one month shy of his 83rd birthday. A celebration of Jim’s life will be planned in the coming year.

If you have memories you’d like to share, please reach out to Susan at susanpartnow@gmail.com.