James Jay Kowalchuk's Obituary
James Jay Kowalchuk was born on July 29, 1950 and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1968. In 1965 at the age of 15, he met the love of his life Diane and they got married on June 6, 1970.
Jim enlisted in the Navy and served our country as part of the mobile Construction Battalion from 1968-1972.
After the military, Jim worked as a carpenter and in 1988 he started his own business as a general contractor launching Kowalchuk Construction. He loved what he did, building homes, countless additions and house remodels. He was very humble of his amazing craft and usually described his profession by simply saying he just “pounded nails.”
He retired in 2012 to spend time traveling with his wife and to further enjoy his love for the great outdoors.
He loved the water and all things outside, whether it was camping with his family, fishing with his boys, playing golf on Thursdays with his friends, clam digging and the list goes on and on. Jim loved traveling with his wife, whether it was short trips to the ocean just him and Diane; to weekend getaways to San Francisco and Las Vegas; or going on their annual trips to Maui. Many times they were joined by the rest of the family and their friends. He had a special place in his heart for being up at elk camp with the guys. He planned all year long for that two week trip in the woods. It was like waiting for a second Christmas.
Jim was a people person and made friends with everyone he met. He always thought of others and happily put everyone else before himself. He truly loved nothing more than spending time with friends and family. Jim was the best of the best, one in a million and will forever leave a large void in our hearts. There are no words to describe how much he will be missed.
Jim sadly leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Diane Kowalchuk; their three children, Shelby Lago, Ryan Kowalchuk and Lindsey Gee. He also leaves behind his daughter-in-law Katie Kowalchuk, son-in-law’s Art Lago and Leo Gee, and his seven grandchildren; Drew, Sydney, Lily, Owen, Ava, Kenzie and Makena.
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