James "Jim" Donnette

Jim the optimist, always.......

James (Jim) Donnette was born January 29, 1937 to Hazel Young Donnette and Joseph Lee Donnette of Warren, Ohio. After WWII the family moved to California, settling in Torrance. Jim was involved in student council throughout his high school years, and was Torrance High Student Body President in his senior year. He attended El Camino Community College and worked for Northrup earning an AA in Aeronautical Engineering. He married Patricia Rogan in 1956 and their firstborn, Joseph, was born a year later. 

Somewhat disillusioned with aeronautics after working on military projects requiring security clearance, Jim, Pat and Joe moved to Berkeley so Jim could begin his studies in Architecture at Cal. In 1959 they welcomed Darryl to their growing family. During the summers they worked at the Cal Summer Camps in the Sierras. Jim was the Teenage Director and learned to sail so he could teach the youth involved. In addition to his studies, Jim worked many jobs on campus, as well as in partnership with his friend George Horvath in their architectural illustration firm, Horvath Donnette. Jim and Pat divorced in 1963 and both continued to parent their boys. Jim received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1963. He worked for a variety of firms in San Francisco designing schools, airline support buildings and most notably BART stations. In the spring of 1966 he was offered a position in the Department of Architecture at the University of Washington. 

Jim and Barbara Rayburn married and moved to Seattle. With a secure position for fall, they stored their things with friends and took off camping around the US in a VW convertible. With the boys they toured many National Parks, Washington DC and cities of the east coast. They returned to Ann Arbor in time for the boys to start school. Jim and Barb dashed homeward stopping for a few days of hiking in Yellowstone. While camped at Money Creek, near Gold Bar, they searched for a houseboat. At a life changing moment, they met Terry Pettus, Mr Houseboat, who led them to the end of the 2331 Fairview dock. On a lark, they bought houseboat H (as in Heaven) enough space for the boys.

Jim found his real calling as an Assistant Professor in the Architecture Department at the University of Washington. Jim proved to be a natural teacher, particularly in the area of architectural drawing and graphic simulation. His empathic nature and sincere desire to help students understand conceptual relationships was always foremost in his teaching. This made him one of the most popular faculty with students. 

While teaching, Jim continued his own studies, focusing on graphics as a critical tool of communication. In 1969 he was awarded a Master of Architecture by the University of Washington and was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor. A big year, as he received his WA State License to practice Architecture too. Jim founded the Graphics Laboratory, teaching critical thinking through graphics to thousands of students in architecture, interior design, urban, planning and construction management. 

Jim also had an uncompromising integrity and sense fairness that made him a natural selection for administrative roles within the College of the Built Environment as he was able to work well with all of the departments. When then Dean Gordon Varey established an All-College Undergraduate Degree program, he appointed Jim as Program Director. Jim also served as Chair of the Construction Management Department. 

Jim loved sailing. He seemed especially intrigued with the independence and freedom it afforded him. With his wife Barb, they explored the American and Canadian San Juan Islands; first with their thunderbird, Pangloss, and later in their Westsail 32, Panthalassa. 

Just learning to sail was insufficient. Jim became a celestial navigator. This was prior to GPS but it afforded the opportunity for blue-water sailing. Soon Jim, Barb and daughter Jen (5) and friends Paul and Pam Lewis and their son Andy (18 mo) were off sailing to Hawaii, returning to Seattle in time for Jen to start kindergarten. Again, this wasn’t sufficient. In 1978, Jim took a year's leave from teaching and they sailed Panthalassa down the coast and to the South Pacific Islands: Marquesas, Tuamoto Archipelago and the Society Islands of Tahiti, Moorea etc. They returned via Hawaii to their beloved houseboat.

The next years were filled with teaching, learning and work. Jim with the Department of Architecture, Jen in public schools and UW and Barb managing the city’s P-Patch community gardens. On retirement, they joyfully became founding members of Tenderfoot Adventures started by their neighbor Val Burgess. They walked, hiked, backpacked, talked, biked, sailed, sang, played games and travelled together and created life-long friendships. All because of Val and her philosophy of 'Just Show Up'.

In addition to Tenderfoot Adventures, the sailing adventures continued over the years with 3 passages from Maui to Seattle returning other peoples racing boat for those without the leisure time of retirees. The crews included Jim, Doug, Paul and Barb (chief cook and bottle washer) and children and friends. 

Over the years and many improvements, 'houseboats' morphed into 'Floating Homes'. They were finally recognized as amazing places surrounded by nature, boating, floating, and a relaxed life style with fabulous, supportive neighbors. Jim and Barb lived their dream there until Jim's dementia progressed and he needed extensive care. On November 10th 2024, Jim Donnette, ever the optimist, sailed on.....

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Young Donnette and Joseph Donnette, his sister Joan (Jim) Allen. He is survived by his wife Barbara, sons Joseph and Darryl and daughter Jennifer (Shae) and grandsons Riley and Rowan. His brother John (Marcy) daughter, Erin, and son Justin (Vida) and son Jordan. 

Thanks to dear 50 year friends: Doug Zuberbuhler (Pat) for his additions of Jim's UW years to this remembrance. And to: Paul (Pam) Lewis for shared memories.

Please join us in a Celebration of Life for Jim. Bring your stories! May 4, 2025 at the Seattle Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave, from 1 to 3 pm.