In Memory

James Hoon (Teacher)

James Hoon (Teacher)

James Hoon taught U.S. History, Economics, & Reading.

James Lesco Hoon(1930 - 2017)

James Lesco Hoon

Jim passed away peacefully after a long illness on January 29, 2017.

He was born on May 14, 1930 in Spokane delivered by his grandfather at the Rockwood Clinic which was founded by his uncle, Bill.

His great grandparents crossed the plains from Keokuk, Iowa and homesteaded in Dayton, Washington where Jim was raised by his paternal grandparents. After two years at WSU he enlisted in the Army and served in Korea between 1950 and 1952 as the company clerk in a MASH unit.

Upon his return, he graduated from Central Washington University and began a teaching career in the Edmonds School District. Shortly thereafter he became a Husky, and received a Master's degree in Education from the University of Washington. He worked with special needs children for the bulk of his career and retired as a case worker.

After retirement he bought an orchard in north central Washington and raised apples for 16 years!

He impacted many people's lives and will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, integrity and concern for others.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, his "beloved Ruby"; his brother Tom; nieces Shannon, Roxane and Whitney; his children Robert, Laurel, Richard and Randall; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

At Jim's request no service is planned. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make a donation in his memory to the charity of your choice .

Published in The Seattle Times on Feb. 12, 2017



 
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02/17/17 07:59 AM #1    

Pat Echelbarger

I liked Jim Hoon alot.  He was my baseball coach for two years at Lynnwood Jr High.  I didn't have him for any classes, but he was always a friendly guy who could joke with you.  He let Mike Rowe and I put a yellow racing stripe on his old 46 or 47 Chev 4 door.  It was very distinctive and made it look like a kid owned that car!  Jim used to work summers at Friendly Enco at 68th and 196th, I remember buying gas from him.  Linda Christensen Aardahl and her husband ran that station for years after we got out of high school.  I had invited Jim to our reunion last fall and I never received a response from him.  Marilyn and I knew Jim and Ruby while they were orcharding in Manson and visited with them quite a few times.  I bought a 1937 Ford 1 1/2 ton Orchard Truck from Jim for $100.  I was going to make a hot rod out of it, but it was more work than I was willing to take on at that time so I sold it. (Actually gave it away to a guy who did some work for me).  RIP Jim Hoon, you were one of the "good guys"!

 


02/19/17 03:50 AM #2    

James Davidson

I am saddened to hear of Jim Hoon's passing.  He was a wonderful man who took time to coach us in JV baseball at Meadowdale.  He was very caring and he was uplifting with optimism and a sense of pride.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

 


02/19/17 07:43 AM #3    

Mike Buchmeier

I owe a lifelong debt to James Hoon. He successfully diagnosed and treated me for a reading deficiency in my sophomore year at Meadowdale. Without that help I may have experienced a very different life than I have. Thank you Mr. Hoon, RIP.

 


02/20/17 06:59 AM #4    

Pat Echelbarger

Jim told me that he pitched at WSU (WSC, then).  That had to have been when he started at WSC in about 1948 (when most of us were born).  He was there for two years and then went into the Army and a stint in Korea with a MASH unit.  I wonder if he was the Radar O'Reilly of the unit?  He had a good sense of humor and liked joking around.  He will be missed.


02/20/17 05:45 PM #5    

Frank Carter

Never had him for a teacher, but he was a customer of mine for my paper route.  Always had a smile as I recall, and always paid his bill on time.


02/23/17 02:53 PM #6    

Kevin Cloud Brechner

It is interesting how, except for his hair turning white, his looks did not really age much. I don't remember taking a class from him, but I remember him well.  He had funny sense of humor.  I had the same thought as Mike, that Mr. Hoon, and company clerk of a M.A.S.H. Unit in Korea, might have been a model for Radar O'Reilly.  We were lucky to has so many really good teachers in high school.


04/30/21 09:47 AM #7    

Chris Thompson (MHS '65)

Mr. Hoon was one of my favorite teachers and did in fact impact my life. Not exsctly a model for my futsdure teaching style, but impated how I delt with kids, as he was a great listener, treated student with respect and ackowdledged the validity of their opinions. His sense of humor and casual demeanor in the class room made for a good learning environment, and dare I say a safe space. I thought of him often over the years. 


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