James Anthony Le Penske Jr.
May 24, 1944 - October 15, 2022
Obituary
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, James A. Le Penske Jr. died peacefully at the age of 78 surrounded by family and close friends. Jim was born on May 24, 1944 in Seattle, Wa to James and Leona Le Penske Sr. He was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts with his father and reached the highest honor of Eagle Scout. Jim was a graduate of Queen Anne High School, Highline College, Troy State University, Western Kentucky University, and Seattle University. He met his wife, Carma Prohaska, at Highline College, they married on October 19, 1968, and had two children, Bryan Le Penske and Katie Le Penske. Jim is survived by his daughter, Katie Le Penske, his brother Marc And Denise Le Penske, and sister Renee and Jim Aldrich, as well as their children and extended family.
Jim joined the Army in 1966 as warrant officer, was stationed in Alabama and attended flight school. Jim went to Vietnam on multiple tours where he was part of the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company, the Stallions. He flew Huey’s for dust off medical evacuation as well as Black Hawks and Chinooks. Jim was then stationed in Kentucky, Seattle, and in 1983 Heidelberg Germany for Jim’s last duty station. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations and provided planning, time phasing, and prioritization of aviation force deployment requirements. He proudly retired in 1992 as a Lt. Colonel and returned home to Seattle.
Jim was an active member of the Queen Anne High School Alumni Association, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and made charitable contributions to many others.
The family has fond memories of being stationed in Heidelberg, Germany for 9 years where they skied nearly every weekend in the Alps, traveled extensively to new places around Europe and visited friends in Sweden as often as possible. Jim was the director of the European Chapter of the National Ski Patrol and loved helping others. He was there for you if you needed any first aid, help down the mountain on a sled, and if you needed to be evacuated from a chairlift.
Jim had a love of the outdoors, and he taught his kids the names of trees and plants while hiking and camping. He was there to teach his kids survival skills, how to widdle a mean marshmallow stick, and even how to season and eat a frog over the campfire. He loved the water and was passionate about boats which grew even more while working on a Tugboat when he was young. He shared his knowledge about the water, crabbing, clamming, fishing, and the best way to dig up a Geoduck. Jim was funny, kind, passionate, strong, and always willing to share his advice and knowledge. He could mesmerize you for hours telling you a story, with joy shining on his face, a smile, a twinkle in his eyes, and laughter. Chest up, chin up, firm handshake, be kind.
He is greatly missed.
