James "Jimmy" B. Hovis

James (Jimmy) Brunton Hovis, age 88, died peacefully on January 6, 2011, after a well-lived life. As Jim wrote, “Life has been wonderful to me.” He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends and will be remembered for his sense of humor, zest for life, and his dedication to the law and public service.

Jim was born on December 15, 1922, a third-generation Zillah resident. He grew up in the Yakima Valley, the life-long home of his parents, Ford and Jean (Brunton) Hovis. He graduated from Zillah High School, and after his return from military service in the Pacific during World War II, obtained his B.S. and Juris Doctorate from the University of Washington. His loving wife, Lorraine (Focht) supported him through law school, and after graduation they returned to Yakima, where they raised their 4 children. Jim practiced law for over 37 years, representing a wide variety of public and private clients. During this time, Jim served as the lead attorney for the Yakama Nation, an abiding affiliation that resulted in many significant decisions affirming tribal treaty rights. He also appeared before many different courts, presenting oral argument several times before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1987, Jim was appointed to serve as a Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Jim also was very proud of his other public service and devoted many hours to various organizations, including Sundown M Ranch, Yakima County Democratic Party, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Washington State Horse Racing Commission, the Yakima County Bar Association and the Yakima Valley Regional Library. He also enjoyed the outdoors, spending many wonderful hours at the Royal Duck Club and fishing in Nootka Sound.

Jim lived a rich, full life. He loved his wife, his children, his grandchild, his friends and his career. He was committed to justice and equality and devoted his career and his life to those principles. Jim was spirited, independent and always willing to express his views, and he was quick to share a humorous story or lesson from life. Jim left his unique and indelible mark on this world, and the world is better for it.

Jim is preceded in death by his devoted wife of 56 years, Lorraine, and his brother, Lowell, and leaves behind his son, Brian (Deb Ross), Olympia; daughters, Mary Andersen (Eric), Manassas, Virginia; Karen, Yakima; and Nancy (Janine Johnson), Seattle; his grandson, Jamie, attending college in Boston; and his sister-in-law, Sue, Seattle. Jim also is survived by many friends, who showed their love and support through the years. More recently, Jim made many new friends as a resident of the Living Care Community, including those who cared for him during the last few months of his life. The family is very thankful for their compassionate care and for the devotion of his daughter, Karen, the one “tough enough to live in Yakima.”

Private graveside services are planned. Public visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at Keith and Keith Funeral Home. A public celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the 4th Street Theatre (behind the Capitol Theatre) at 14 S. Fourth Street in Yakima.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sundown M Ranch or Living Care Retirement Community in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902.