James Michael Tatka was born on August 2, 1953 and passed away with family by his side on December 16, 2022 at the age of 69, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

James — better known as “Jim” or “Freddie” — was born to Fred and Betty Tatka in Eureka. He attended South Bay Elementary, Jacobs Jr High and Eureka High School (class of 1971.)

He worked for Hilfiker Pipe Company and then went on to Pape Material Handling and Bobcat West at the age of 19. He retired at 64.

Jim was a family man and enjoyed spending summers at the family’s cabin at Ruth Lake. Weekly dinners at his parents house when they were alive, which were then spent at his sister’s, and daughter’s house. He was an avid hunter of anything with fur or feathers. He was a genuine man with a kind heart, and was always up for a drink or a joke. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Betty, cousins Gary Davis and Michael Bowles, and ex-wife and mother to his girls Graico Cross.

He is survived by his daughters Tristan (Chad) Younger and Theresa Powell; his sister Janet (Brad) Smith; grandchildren Aubree, Alex, Trent, Madison, and Michael lll; aunt Anne Bowles; cousins Gail Fitzpatrick and Julie Crow; niece Caroline Albee; and good friend Curt Cross.

We would like to give a special thank you to his caregivers Melissa and Alesha, the doctors and nurses that cared for him at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Hospice of Humboldt.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eureka Elks Lodge on Herrick Ave. on Sunday February 5 from 12 p.m. to 3pm. In lieu of flowers please donate to Hospice of Humboldt.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim Tatka’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.