James (Jim, Jimmy) Joseph Stoffels was born February 18, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the eldest son of Elroy F. Stoffels and Isabelle M. Hegy. Our beloved brother, grandfather, adopted grandfather, uncle, cousin, father and friend passed peacefully from our arms to the awaiting arms of his parents and sisters at Richland Post Acute Care on Pike Avenue in Richland, WA, following a multiyear battle with cancer and weeks after discovery of a tumor, on December 11, 2024.

Jimmy attended Pius XI High School and Marquette University on academic scholarships, graduating in 1962 with an M.S. in Physics. He then worked as a Senior Researcher for Atomic Energy Commission’s Hanford Laboratories, now the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). He held a 33-year career at PNNL in isotope mass spectrometry, retiring in 1995. He held positions on the Richland City Council, co-founded World Citizens for Peace in 1982, led countless memorials and activities for peace, including guiding a group of peace activists from Japan on a tour of Richland and Hanford, co-founded the B Reactor Museum Association and served as a volunteer in multiple schools in the Tri-Cities area.

A writer, researcher, lecturer, and avid tinkerer who built customizations for his mass spectrometer, designed stereos, worked on many motorcycles, and restored his 3-wheeled Isetta; Jim loved music of all kinds and shared his profound empathy for the sorrows of war, and an often child-like joy with the people around him.

Jimmy is survived by his sister and brother, Barbara A. Zillmer and Kenneth W. Stoffels, and his children, adopted grandchildren, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nephews and widespread friends and colleagues.

A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, January 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ the King Church 1111 Stevens Drive, Richland, WA 99354, with a committal service following at Einan’s at Sunset, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA 99352.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to any charity meaningful to you; some that were meaningful to Jim include: United Way of Benton County, Peace Action Education Funds, USA for UNHCR, Tri-Cities Union Gospel Mission, Kadlec Foundation, CARE, Marquette University, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, Mercy Corps, Second Harvest, Human Life of WA, School Sisters of St. Francis, Pius XI High School, Catholic Charities, World Food Program, Call to Action, Southern Poverty Law Center, Amnesty International, Special Olympics, Human Rights Watch, Doctors Without Borders, American Friends Service Commission, Northwest Public Broadcasting, Alzheimer’s Association, Common Cause, Center for Victims of Torture and Diocese of Yakima.