Joy LaVonne James

SEATTLE, WA–Joy LaVonne James passed away peacefully on January 29th, 2025. She was born June 8, 1941 in Tracy, Minnesota, to Kenneth & Valora Olsen, the 3rd of 4 children. The Olsen family moved to nearby Marshall, Minnesota in 1943, where Joy attended public schools. Upon graduating from Marshall High School in 1959, she attended cosmetology school in Mankato, Minnesota. On February 13, 1960 she married Dick James. They raised two boys, Lance and Grant. Dick’s airline career resulted in the family relocating south, settling in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1964. It wasn’t until 1974 when the family once again relocated to the Fayetteville / Springdale, Arkansas area. Their final relocation was to the Seattle, WA area in 1982 as empty nesters, where they lived until Joy’s death. While raising a family, Joy was a beautician during the 1960’s, and wanting to get off her feet, worked in banking administration during the 1970’s. Shortly after moving to the Seattle area, Joy transitioned to healthcare administration, eventually retiring as a Recruiter in the Human Resources Department at Auburn (Washington) Regional Medical Center in 2007.

Joy was much loved by her family and friends, and will be missed. She was an avid reader, and earlier in life, enjoyed singing in church choirs.

Joy is survived by her husband Dick, two sons, Lance (Debbie) James, and Grant James; grandchildren Nicholas James (Rachel), and Cindy Grende (Travis); great-grandchildren Madison, Zoey, Becca, and Joseph; sisters Jean Mott (Dave) and Kathy Labat (Dick); and sisters-in-law Janice James and Anne James.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Jerry (Margaret) Olsen.

At her request, no services are planned.