Thursday, October 1, 2026
James “Jim” D. Cronrath died peacefully June 18, 2025, at his home in Cashmere, WA, at the age of 76.
James was born March 29, 1949, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Luther W. and Betty V. (Hoskyn) Cronrath. The second of three children, James moved with his family to Chewelah WA, in 1954 and then to Cashmere in 1959. He graduated from Cashmere High School in 1967, and went on to attend Cal Poly University in Pomona, CA. where he played football for two years. He then transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, WA, graduating 1969. James earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in Animal Science at WSU.
For the next thirty years he held the position of Laboratory Technician in the WSU Animal Sciences department, retiring in 2003. For a time James also refereed high school football games around the Palouse area and, as a result, got to help run chains at WSU home football games. He loved football—playing it, refereeing it, and watching it.
During this time, James lived on acreage in Viola, ID, where he raised a few beef cattle and sold his property lumber. While growing up, James loved spending summers on his Grandpa Hoskyn’s farm in Iowa and dreamed of taking it over one day. Though that dream didn’t materialize, he co-owned and operated a Holstein dairy farm with two co-workers in Washington for a few years.
A gifted individual in many ways, James enjoyed golfing, fishing, and hunting. Last Fall he completed number one on his “Bucket List”— a private guided hunting trip to Idaho. James landed a huge 7-point Elk. He had plans for these horns to join the other mounted Elk head in his way too small living room. All who visited James had to smile and dodge the Elk. In addition, his hobbies included reading old west stories (Louis L’Amour a favorite), building model ships, and woodworking, building beautiful furniture for himself. Upon retiring, James moved back to Cashmere and lived in the home once owned by his Cronrath grandparents until his death in 2025. Although life was not always easy for him, he is at peace with Jesus now.
He is survived by his brother Bill (Pam) Cronrath of Wenatchee, his sister Ann (Mike) Jendro of Washougal, nephews Rodney and Christopher Cronrath, and nieces Joyanne Lincks, MaryDawn Buntin, and Bethany Hawes along with nine great nieces and great nephews.
A time of remembrance at the Viola, ID, cemetery will be held later in October.
Donations can be given in his name to Special Olympics Washington or Special Olympics Idaho, organizations that he held in high regard.
