On Saturday, October 15, 2022, James A. Le Penske Jr. died peacefully at the age of 78 surrounded by family and close friends. Jim was born on May 24, 1944 in Seattle, Wa to James and Leona Le Penske Sr. Jim was a graduate of Queen Anne High School and Highline College where he met his wife Carma Prohaska. They married on October 19, 1968 and had two children, Bryan Le Penske and Katie Le Penske. Jim is survived by his daughter, Katie Le Penske, his brother Marc and Denise Le Penske, and sister Renee and Jim Aldrich, as well as their children and extended family. Jim was a proud Lt. Colonel of the Army and served from 1966 to 1992 with multiple tours in Vietnam as a medivac helicopter pilot.
He served in the 50th Med Det in 67-68 and the 45th Med in 70-71.
The family has fond memories of being stationed in Heidelberg, Germany for 9 years where Jim was the director of the European Chapter of the National Ski Patrol, enjoyed woodcarving, and traveling. After retiring from the Army, Jim returned to live in the Seattle area where he retired from the State of Washington. Jim was an active member of the Queen Anne High School Alumni Association as well as the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Jim cared deeply for others, loved to meet new people, was always ready with a smile and good advice, and was a great story teller. He will be missed.