James Rosaaen

James Guy Rosaaen, 88, left us for his eternal home on April 8, 2015. With love, song, psalms and prayers he was ushered into heaven. Born in Seattle on June 14, 1926, a beloved only child of Zada Roe and Archibald Guy Rosaaen, he attended Roosevelt High School, and the University of Washington, where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. While at the UW he was a member of the Naval ROTC, and post-graduation he entered the Navy as an Ensign. Following his tour of duty in the navy, Dad attended Stanford University where he earned his MBA. After earning his Master’s he landed a job at the Boeing Company, where he stayed until retirement. An accomplished musician, he had a beautiful baritone voice and was a skilled pianist. While a member of the University Presbyterian Church Choir he set his sights on the choir secretary, Dorothy Cocks. They met, fell in love and married on September 1st 1953. They had five kids and almost 34 years together, before she was taken far too soon, by cancer, in the summer of ’87. Though grief stricken, he carried on, as he taught us all to do, and two years later he met his second love, Betty Cutler, who remained by his side until his death.

Dad loved to water ski, travel, tell jokes, be goofy, solve brain teasers, read, work with wood, listen to classical music, go boating, watch sports, and most especially, spend time with his family. He was loyal, trustworthy, loving, smart, generous and kind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Zada and Archibald, and wife, Dorothy. Those of us who are left to “carry on” through our grief, are his 5 children: Janet (Dan) Eichner, Barbara (Nick) Walker, Christine (Bill) Masterson, Richard (Melissa) Rosaaen, Charles Rosaaen; 10 grandchildren: Jeff (Jessica) and Corey Eichner, Andy (Jennifer), Jack, and Rose Walker, Kevin and Phillip Rosaaen, and Charlie, Tim and Mitch Rosaaen; and 4 great grandchildren: Sydney and Dyllan Eichner, and Adria and Isaiah Walker; his loving companion of 25 years, Betty Cutler, and her kids Dave, Jeff, Michael and Tracy and eight grandkids; and his cousin, Kenneth Leader.

Services will be held at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, on Monday, April 27th at 1pm. Visitation Sunday, April 26th, 4-8pm, and Monday, the 27th, 11am – 1pm. Graveside service immediately to follow. For more information or to leave a memorial tribute, please visit www.sunsethillsfuneralhome.com

Memorial Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society: https://donate.cancer.org/index