Jonathan Lazarus Obituary

Jonathan David Lazarus passed away on 6/11/2025. Jonathan was born in 1944 in Los Angeles, CA and grew up in Southern California, Austin, Texas, and West Lafayette Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked mainly as a nuclear engineer until he retired in 2002 and directed his full attention to gardening, home improvement, construction projects, and philanthropy. He served on the board of the Satterberg Foundation and was instrumental in founding the Sunnyvale Community Garden.

Jonathan married Kate Helsell in 1972, and they raised three children and welcomed several foster children into their Sunnyvale, California home over the years. In 2013, Kate and Jonathan moved to Enumclaw, Washington. Kate passed away in 2017 shortly after their 44th wedding anniversary. In 2018 Jonathan married Joan Stephens, a friend and fellow church member.

At the time of his passing, Jonathan was busy with gardening and many projects. He loved watering plants, feeding his chickens, and accelerating quickly in his Tesla, egged on from the back seat by his giggling grandchildren.

Jonathan is predeceased by his parents, son John, first wife Kate, and sister Karie. He is survived by wife Joan, daughter Brynne (Harald Streif), son Ben, foster daughter Andrea Dale, sister Dianne, brother Peter (Rachel), and grandchildren Noah, Anna, Isaiah, Iyla, and Ezra. All will miss his warm hugs and sense of humor.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 7. Memories and photos can be shared here: https://weeksfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/jonathan-lazarus/