James F. Henriot

Obituary James F. Henriot Longtime Tacoma attorney James F. Henriot died peacefully on Sunday, January 3, 2016 after a lengthy illness. He was born in 1927 in Chehalis, Washington to Cleo E. and Elizabeth (McBride) Henriot, the third of their five children. The Henriot family moved to Tacoma in 1935 where Jim was educated at St. Patrick's grade school and Bellarmine Preparatory (where he graduated as class salutatorian) and Seattle University. Following a short stint of teaching on Vashon Island, Jim left for Georgetown University where he earned his Doctor of Laws and later a Master of Laws and Letters. He became an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Tacoma and retired as Senior Partner with the Tacoma/Seattle law firm Eisenhower & Carlson where he focused on civil litigation, labor, employment and business law. His professional pursuits led him to memberships in the Tacoma, Washington State, American and International Bar Associations and he served on numerous committees in each, requiring him to travel extensively, which he loved. James Henriot was a man of many passions and many achievements who used to say "Since I never married and have no children I feel dedicated to devoting time and resources to public service by serving on local, state, and national non-profit boards". These included The Lowell Observatory, Seattle University Board of Regents, American Red Cross, REI Retail, Northwest Kidney Center, Washington State Historical Society, L'Arche Community, Bellarmine Preparatory School and Outward Bound School International. Jim also cherished his membership and long relationship with the Rotary Club of Tacoma. All the while, Jim's overwhelming passion in life was the wilderness, hiking, skiing, sailing, kayaking, running, exploring and especially mountain climbing and his leadership involvement with the Mountaineers. He served terms as president of the Tacoma Mountaineers, the Tacoma and Washington State and in 1977-79 the nationwide American Alpine Club(s). He was also a founding member of Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. In his many years of following his favorite adventure, climbing mountains, he reached the summit of six of the seven highest peaks in the world while observing "there's a personal satisfaction in reaching a summit, you get so close to nature and God. You are dependent on your companions and they are dependent on you. So you work together as a team. It brings out the best in a person." Also "reaching the summit isn't everything - sometimes it's enough to get up and back down in one piece. I know - early on it took me three tries to summit Mt. Rainier." James is survived by his siblings, Jeanne Marie (Nini and Bill) Pierson of Portland, OR, Fr. Peter Henriot, S.J. of Malawi, Africa; sister-in-law, Geraldine Dunlap Henriot of Burlington, WA; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Jack Henriot; and sister, Elizabeth (Betty and Fred) McCormick. A philanthropist himself, Jim would appreciate contributions in his memory to Jesuit Missions (1016 - 16th St. NE, Ste. 400, Washington, D.C., 20036) to support his brother's efforts in building the Jesuit co-educational secondary school in Malawi, Africa; the Tacoma Rotary Foundation (PO Box 1777, Tacoma, WA 98401); the L'Arche Tahoma Hope Community (12303 - 36th Ave E., Tacoma, WA 98446); or the University of Puget Sound where he served as the Attorney of Record for many, many years! A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 11, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church where Jim was a lifelong member. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.