James Willard Dupar
April 11, 1937 - March 8, 2005
Obituary
James Willard Dupar, lifetime resident of Seattle, passed away March 8th after a short illness with Multiple Myeloma, a rare cancer of the bone marrow. He was born on April 11, 1937, to the late Ethel L. and Frank A. Dupar, Sr., the seventh of eight children.
Jimmy, as he was affectionately known by all, had a creative and varied career. Starting out at Western International Hotels Westin and Palmer Supply Company, then working for architectural/design firms Morganelli Heumann, Berg Hazlet Dupar, and Aimex. He then started his own company, Sheer Design in 1976. He had a long and distinguished career in Office, Home Interior and Yacht design. Notable accomplishments include the design of the original offices of Seafirst National Bank, the trend setting Mirabeau Restaurant, remodels of the Seattle Yacht Club and The College Club of Seattle and the design of private yachts still at sea. Jim also designed, built and was a major owner of the Bellevue Holiday Inn.
He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1955 and attended the University of Washington and the San Francisco Design School. He was a member of the Seattle Yacht Club, Washington Athletic Club and two time past President of The College Club of Seattle.
Jim is survived by his wife of 30 years, Gail Dahlstrom Dupar of Seattle and his children; Jan Dupar of Sedro Wooley; Cris Jeff Summers of Anacortes; Mimi Bill Hepler of Bainbridge Island and Dana Laurie Dupar of Granite Bay, CA, from his first marriage to Nancy Crozier Johnson. His seven grandchildren include, Mathew Whitehouse, Madeline and Willie Hepler, Graham, Joanna, Blake and Michelle Dupar. His surviving siblings include his sister, Marilyn McIntosh of Vancouver, Canada; three brothers, Robert Dupar of Kirkland; Thomas Dupar of Cathedral City, CA; and the Rev. Kenneth Dupar of Cromarty, Scotland. Jim is predeceased by his sister Dorothy Lynch and brothers, Frank Dupar Jr. and John Dupar. He also leaves behind 21 nieces and nephews, and all his friends who loved him.
Jim lived life to its fullest. He was heard more than once proclaiming he had done everything and more. His love of family, fine design, wooden things that float, fancy old cars, delectable consumables and holding court with his vast array of friends, define a man rich in character, class, generosity and great humor.
Just heard of Jim’s passing as Carol Buseman sent me the clipping from The Times. We are spending our usual three winter months in Palm Srings. Wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Have fond memories of our trips with you both. BJC
TO THE DUPAR FAMILY,
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.
LOVE, JUDY & ED
To Jim’s Family,
I’d like to add this piece to Jim’s memorial, we were high school pals, and unfortunately only crossed trails at reunions since those days. I don’t know who wrote this piece, but it was read at Senator Tip O’Neill’s funeral some years ago. I’ve saved it ever since, because we lose track of friends, thinking they will go on forever.
“Around the corner I have a friend, in this city that has no end.
Yet days go by and weeks rush on, and before you know it, a year is gone.
He knows I like him just as well, as in the days when I rang his bell.
And he rang mine, we were younger then, and now we are busy tired men.
Tomorrow, I say , I will call on Jim, just to show I am thinking of him.
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, and the distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner, yet miles away, “Here is a telephone sir; Jim just died today.”
And that’s what we get and deserve in the end, around the corner a vanished friend.”
My mother 93 years young, Lois Wolff, received a Christmas card from Jim and Gail every year and was thrilled to have one. She was greatly saddened and angry at the powers that be that he left so young.
Very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I am the proud owner of Raven, his wonderful 30′ Lyman that is the pride of the local fleet. Thanks Jim, you had a wonderful eye for detail and tradition. Many in the boating community mourn you’re passing.
Tom
Gail and Family,
We were so terribly sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Please know our heartfelt sympathies are with you at this time.
Jim and Barbara
We will miss Jim’s smile and happy attitude. Gail and brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, our thoughts are with you.
Gail and Family,
I’ve been away for some time and learned of Jim’s passing recently..six years, been that long…Jim was sweetness, he always made you feel that you were in his heart. He did a great Donald Duck impression that my kids, now in their 30’s, still remember.
I love you Jim and miss the thought that you are not with us.
Mark