James Clayton Rupp

Our dearly beloved brother, uncle and great-uncle, James Clayton Rupp, passed away January 19th, 2023 at his lifetime home in Seattle. His infectious laugh, eccentric sense of humor and zest for life touched the lives of many.

Jim “Huncle” Rupp was born on February 13, 1950 in Seattle, Washington. He attended Daniel Bagley Elementary School, Woodrow Wilson Junior High and Lincoln High School. In 1972, he received a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Washington and began his public relations career at Washington Mutual as Director of Communications. During his career, Jim was the public relations director of the Seattle SuperSonics and later moved into private education as the admissions director for The Bush school. Jim retired in 2018 from the Seattle Academy of Arts and Science’s as Admissions Director.

In the late 1990s, Jim was a boxing promoter and he and Bob Jarvis arranged the first ever co-ed boxing match between Loi Chow and Margaret McGregor.

Jim was a true cat lover and was often adopted by neighborhood cats. His beloved felines included Wilbur, Ginger, Lump A, Creepster, Jackson and many others. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Seattle Area Feline Rescue in Shoreline, WA.

Jim is survived by his sister and her husband, Mary and Hans Berkenhoff of Edmonds, WA, his niece, Erika Berkenhoff of Seattle, WA, his nephew Brian Berkenhoff, of Brookings, SD and his great-nieces and great-nephew, Sophia, Madelyn and Emmett Berkenhoff of Brookings, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Katherine Rupp, and his beloved aunt, Margery Frogner.

A Memorial Service/Reception will be held June 7, 2023 from 2-4 pm at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home. Please email [email protected] to RSVP.