Jonathan Edward Parati

Jon was born on March 11, 1965 to Robert and Jane Parati in Charlotte, N.C. The youngest of four children, he was the quiet one. Always in thought and incredibly curious, he grew up wanting to know how things worked, and usually figured it out. As a child, his Christmas and birthday gifts consisted of gadgets, electronic sets and science kits. Even his Tinkertoy creations were practical and amazing! He was destined to use his brilliant mind, once stopping his fifth-grade science teacher at the end of an afternoon’s lesson to say, “I’m sorry, that theory’s been disproven.” The family loved to travel, often going camping on weekends and visiting many historic locations.

In high school, Jon excelled in science and technology, and enjoyed playing the French Horn in band. He was introduced to personal computers and taught himself programming. After he completed a computer programming summer camp at Davison College, the professor sent a letter to his parents letting them know there really wasn't anything they could teach him because he had already learned everything himself. They suggested MIT and other top Tech colleges for his further study. He graduated from Olympic High School in 1983.

Upon graduating from NC State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering in 1987, Jon joined Microsoft in Redmond, WA, where he worked for 35 years. During his long career, he has contributed to many Microsoft products including Windows OS, EnCarta, and Windows Embedded System.

While at Microsoft, he met and fell in love with Lingyun Wang. They were married in June of 1997 in a beautiful ceremony. He often told people their first date was at the Windows 95 launch Party. Their children Giovanni and Asia were born in 1999 and 2002, respectively. A devoted family man, Jon was a loving husband and wonderful father and loved his family dearly. He told his wife that she and their children were the best things that happened to him in his life.

The family travelled to many countries around the world and places in the US. He especially loved Hawaii, where they have visited all the islands. Jon enjoyed snorkeling, long swims in the ocean, and playing water sports with Gio and Asia. When home, most weekends were filled with hiking or day trips all over the Pacific Northwest. He liked to talk with the children about movies they watched together, and shared with them his extensive knowledge of everything, the fun and unique things that few people know. The memories they created together will be forever with his family.

He was also a gifted musician, teaching himself to play several instruments, including the guitar, bass and keyboards. At Christmas, he would gift his extended family with a new song he had composed and recorded all the tracks himself. Jon served as a member of the choir at Northshore United Church of Christ and played in a few bands. And he could juggle!

Jon turned 59 in March, having retired from Microsoft a year earlier. Upon retirement he focused on composing and recording his music. He also enjoyed working on his computer and fixing things around the house.

He was predeceased by his parents.

Jon is survived by his loving wife, Lingyun, their children Giovanni and Asia, and his siblings Nan Parati, Chris Parati Roseman and her husband William, Tim Parati and his wife Kim and several nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 am on July 6, 2024 at Northshore United Church of Christ, 18900 168th Avenue NE in Woodinville, WA.

Contributions in his honor can be made to the American Lung Association.