James Franklin Cozad, 87, of Pasco, Washington, passed away peacefully at his home on September 6, 2026.

Jim was born on February 3, 1939, in Battle Ground, Washington, the seventh child of John and Mary (Hanes) Cozad, originally from Iowa and Missouri. He grew up on the family’s small farm, where he quickly learned the rhythms of farm life—milking and riding cows, plucking chickens, and catching fish in the East Fork of the Lewis River. As a boy, he helped support the family by raising and selling calves, picking strawberries, and harvesting timber in the Lewis River Valley before the dams were built.

As a young man, Jim served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord. He later worked at Crown Zellerbach in Portland, Oregon; at Hanford in the nuclear industry; and ultimately completed a 28‑year career at Sandvik Special Metals as a tooling specialist. Jim was always ready to share stories about his time in the Army, his souped‑up Ford Galaxie, making tubing at Sandvik, his dogs Rex and Toughy, and his many elk and deer hunting adventures in Idaho and Washington.

Jim is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jeanne (Cassinelli) Cozad, with whom he shared countless hours of traveling, square dancing, and watching old westerns together. He is also survived by his daughters Marie Schiefelbein and Marlene Ocker (Paul); his step‑daughters Rachel Peterson and Cathy Peterson; and his three grandsons, who were the sparkle in his eye: Matthew Schiefelbein, Casey Ocker, and Colin Ocker (Makayla).

He was preceded in death by his six brothers and sisters; his first wife of 25 years, Sharon (Caldwell); his daughter Sandra; and his son‑in‑law David Schiefelbein.

A private graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens on September 24.