James Charles Haufe

It is with tremendous sorrow that we say goodbye to our beloved, James Charles Haufe. James was born on October 16, 1969 in Spokane, Washington. He was welcomed to the 80-acre farm in the Rocky Mountains of northern Idaho where his family lived by his parents and siblings, Ed, Roseann and Linda. As a toddler, “Jimmie” loved the animals on the farm and brought much joy to his family. This love of all animals and other critters stayed with him throughout his life. He especially loved cats and raised many throughout his life. James also had a green thumb and loved nurturing his many houseplants. In 1972, his baby sister Margaret “Meg” joined the family and they grew up very close. James' family spent three years in Connecticut before relocating to Tennessee. James had a genius level intellect, and in grade school would sometimes correct his teachers, to their astonishment. He completed all 12 years of schooling and graduated from Central High School with a very high GPA. He then attended the University of Tennessee where he studied computer science, afterwards achieving a job at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Soon after he became a small business owner, running a successful computer sales and repair store for several years. James was brilliant with all kinds of technology, from building computers to inventing robotics and gadgets for his home. He could also build and fix basically anything, from home repairs to automobiles. Additionally, James was an extremely talented musician, skilled with the piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, harmonica and essentially any instrument he picked up. He had the incredible ability to listen to a song and figure out how to play it on piano or guitar within minutes. James was also a composer, writing, playing and mixing his own remarkable songs. Everyone who knew James said that he was the funniest person they knew. He was quick to point out the ridiculous or absurd in every situation and make people laugh. We will really miss his goofy, often-irreverent sense of humor and hearing his jokes and laughter. James was a kind and generous person with a huge heart and a deep soul. He was always willing to help anyone in need and was happiest when spending time playing music with others. However, as a very intellectual type, James tended to overthink everything when alone and consequently had trouble finding peace during his time on Earth. We know that James is now surrounded by incredible love, happiness and peace. James was very much beloved and leaves behind many members of the Haufe and Strauss family including his mother, Cecilia A. Strauss; his father and step-mother Edward L. Haufe, Jr. and Verna Haufe; his brother and sister-in-law Edward L. Haufe III and Connie Haufe; his sister and brother-in-law Roseann and Robert “Chip” Read; his sister and brother-in-law Linda Marie and Tim Nutter; his sister Margaret “Meg” Haufe; his nieces Beth Ford, Kirsten Read, Danielle Kayla Bresser, and Lynae Bresser; his nephew Devin Bresser; and many extended family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Marie and Charles Strauss and Agnes had Edward Louis Haufe Sr; his niece Mandella Marie Haufe; and several aunts and uncles. All of us who knew and loved James will hold him in our hearts forever. “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” -Irish proverb

Tributes

James Charles Haufe

October 16, 1969 - November 6, 2019