James Allan Lofgren, born in Portland Ore., passed away Oct. 8, 2013, at his home in Washington after a long and courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. He was 73. Jim is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Gale Hayden, who he enjoyed 53 years of marriage with. They raised three children: Jennifer Lofgren Layfield of Everett, Julie Lofgren Gandy (Mike) of Bismarck, N.D., and Christopher Lofgren (Dina) of Anacortes.
Jim is also survived by his brother Warren Lofgren and his wife, Carol, of Yakima; grandchildren Elliott, Jillian and Caleb Layfield, Sierra, Hayden and Tanner Gandy, and Derek, Andie and Miles Lofgren; and great-grandchildren Carter and Penelope Lofgren. All will miss the grandpa they loved, respected and shared many great times with. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Gerda and Wilbur Lofgren, sister Donna Wells, and first granddaughter Chelsea Layfield.
Jim was a man who lived life to the fullest and made the most of every day that he was here. He loved adventure and a challenge whether boating or sailing the San Juans, snowmobiling, restoring classic old autos or flying remote airplanes in Arizona with his buddies. Jim Lofgren will always be remembered for his great smile, humbleness and more than anything his honesty and integrity — he was a man of his word! He was contagious with wanting us all to be happy, and the phrase that he lived by all of his years: “They don’t come too tough.”
The family will be celebrating his life in a private memorial in the San Juan Islands this summer.
