James Warren Letinich
June 28, 1952 - August 25, 2004
Obituary
James Warren Letinich, age 52, passed away August 25, 2004 at his home. James is survived by his sister, Peggy Amenta Chuck and his brother Gary Lake Bethany; 4 nephews, Austin, Ross, Alex and Benjamin and his Aunt and Uncle Mary Husiar and Robert Letnich. He served in the United States Air Force for 9 years followed by a 20 year career with Boeing. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, 09/09/04 at 7:00 PM at BONNEY-WATSON Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA 253 839-7317.
Last week I heard the news from our mutual friend Duane. We met 17 years ago in Germany, after that we’ve seen eachother many times all over the world. To me you were Mr. AWACS. Wherever you were, everybody always ended up asking Jim, cause he knew nearly everything ther was to know. Jim & Clyde, and the old beater beamer back in Germany. Jim, I’ll never ever forget you, chief walkingmountain you called me, man oh man, you left too soon. That you may rest in peace now Jim!
It was fantastic knowing and meeting you.
This is very unexpected and shocking news.
Rest in peace Jim, you will be sorely missed.
Marcel.
Jim Letinich was a dear friend and a warm and sincere man. I remember being invited to his home in Germany in 1995 an eating the best homemade chili in the world. Last July Maarten and I where in Seattle and on the 24th our dear friends planned a bbq and my friend Jim was there. We talked about his cars and his life and he told me was happy. I will miss him very much but feel lucky to have known him. My sympathy goes out to Jim’s family, he will be missed.
Love, “Kiddo”
It was with great sadness that I read of Jim Let’s death.
He was a great character – a one-off character.
I don’t think I ever saw him without a baseball hat
on his head. Please accept my condolences.
Jim always was a true friend and example to me. I will miss him and I send my condolences to his family.
Rest in peace, Jim.
Jim thank you very much for your great support and friendship and all the memories here in Germany, I will miss you and the times you were there for me to support with your knowledge,I will carry this in my heart and keep the pictures as a treasure,
Rest in peace my friend.
All condolences to the Letinich family. Jim will always be remembered by those of us who worked with him at Boeing. His ability to make the AWACS radar work when no one else could was amazing.
I never had the opportunity to meet Jim. I knew him through our facination with the Nickel Plate Road. He will be missed.
My deepest sympathies,
Bill Godby
My sincere condolences on the loss of your brother. We shared many interests and experiences while in the USAF together. I feel his loss very deeply. I miss his wit and understanding.
We will miss you Jim.
I first met Jim while working overseas at the NATO AWACS program in Geilenkirchen, Germany. I was the communication instructor at the time and Jim wanted to become a Comm. Tech, so while I taught him comm. equipment he returned the favor by teaching me the Air Force paper system and a little of the radar system. We both benefited from the friendship. We worked together off and on after we came back from our ‘tour’ in The Netherlands. I always enjoyed Jim’s attitude. He was the first to grab a tool box and a few technicians to work an airplane. He truly enjoyed working on the gray bird parked at the end of the runway! Jim had a wonderful laugh, which would start as a rumble deep inside and leave him shaking once it bubbled out. He was a hard worker and helpful to anyone who asked, and to those who needed help and wouldn’t ask. I will miss Jim talking about his trains and model railroading. I will miss him and I send my condolences to his family.
Our deepest sympathies go out to your family. We will keep you all in our thoughts in this time of mourning.
For the family and friend’s that knew James, may his memory shine forever brightly in your hearts. Our thoughts are with you all……
Jim was a true friend, he will be missed by all who knew him.
I worked in France with Jim and we actually had an adventure when I “broke” him out of the hospital one day! I truly enjoyed his spirit and sense of humor. Please know that he will be missed; he touched the hearts of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Big Let was such a great guy to be around…both on the job and away. Jim had a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from and he would do anything for a friend…I am fortunate to have been one. Have some very funny stories about life on foreign assignments…many of us probably remember a French tech looking for the !@# T.O.s. We’ll all miss you Let!
I always enjoyed working with Jim. He was a ‘can-do’ type of guy and will surely be missed.
My sincerest condolences,
Eric
Our deepest thoughts and sympathy go out to your family. May James rest in peace and live forever in the hearts of those who loved him.
I first met Jim in 1986, working at Boeing. I was new at working on airplanes, but Jim had years of experience. We became good friends and worked together for years, both in Seattle and overseas.
Jim quickly became my mentor at Boeing and a lot of what he taught me shaped who I am today. One of my key beliefs Jim gave me. He told me that you don’t work for that manager or even the Company, you worked for “That big gray thing out there on the ramp the airplane.” What was good for the airplane, was good for our customers and ultimately the organization and the company. Heaven help anyone that wanted to cut any corners.
We had grown out of touch in the last few years, but had recently started exchanging pictures and jokes via email. I am truly sorry that I did not get a chance to see him again. Those of us that worked the flightline for E3/E6 at the MFC in Seattle and outplant,have lost much more than a friend, we lost a big part of our family.
Rest in peace, brother.