James "Jim" Erich Koenig
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Jim's obituary
James Erich Koenig
1967–2025
James “Jim” Erich Koenig of Santa Cruz, CA, loving husband, devoted father, wonderful brother, and the most fun and loyal friend, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2025, at the age of 57, surrounded by his family and his beloved dogs. Jim’s bright spirit, generous heart, and infectious sense of humor brought joy to all who knew him.
Born and raised in the San Lorenzo Valley, Jim attended SLV schools and developed a lifelong love for baseball playing in Little League, Pony League, Colt League, and through high school and Cabrillo College. Sports remained a central part of his life, both as a player and as a coach and spectator. His other passions included fishing, cooking, and live music—all of which he loved to share with those closest to him. Jim was also an avid outdoorsman and a proud Seattle Seahawks fan.
In 1988 he met his love, Nicole. They married five years later and spent 32 wonderful years together. Jim was a proud father who enjoyed sharing his love for life, playful spirit, and passions with his son, Austin. He was fortunate to spend much of his career working alongside his brother at Giant Electric, further cementing the bond of family and hard work that defined him.
Having lost his father to heart disease at a young age, Jim learned the value of hard work early on. He also understood the importance of giving back to his community. Whether as a Little League coach, a helpful neighbor, or a team parent for his son Austin’s sports teams, Jim always went the extra mile to make everyone feel special.
Throughout his life, Jim was an anchor to his family, friends, and community. He faced health challenges with strength, grace, and humor, including a heart transplant in 2017, and more recently a battle with cancer starting in 2021. His unwavering spirit and his love for those around him motivated him through it all.
Jim is survived by his wife, Nicole; son, Austin; brother, Mark; and sister, Kristie, along with a close-knit extended family and many friends who will miss him deeply. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Dolores.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at The River House in Ben Lomond, CA. Friends and family are invited to visit Jim’s memorial website at Ever Loved https://everloved.com/life-of… to share stories, photos, and memories.
In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or making a donation to the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease in Jim’s honor: https://giving.classy.org/cam…
Jim’s legacy of kindness, laughter, and love will continue to shine through all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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