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James Arthur JamesJames Arthur James (Jim), born in Eugene, Oregon on October 12, 1928, to Frank and Nellie James, died Monday, January 30, 2012. He grew up in Molalla, Oregon and Goldendale, Washington, traveling with his family to pick fruit and following the timber industry seasons. The family moved to Woodburn when Jim was 16, where he met the love of his life, Jeannette Nims, a pretty clarinet player in the Woodburn high school band. Jim played tuba. It was love at first sight and the two were rarely apart from that moment, with the exception of Jim's two years in the Navy. Shortly upon his return, Jim and Jeannette were married on February 16, 1948. Soon after, they welcomed their first child, James Jr., and the family settled in Dufur, continuing to follow the logging trade. A few years later they moved back to Woodburn where Jim had carpentry work and added to their family with a daughter, Jeannette Jr., and a few years later, Alice. In 1964, they added a 15-year-old daughter to the James Gang, Eva. Over the years, Jim and Jeannette welcomed at least 25 foster children into their family. In 1968, the couple moved to Goldendale, where Jim returned to logging. In 1975, they moved to Alaska, where they made their home for 33 years, starting in Anchorage, where Jim worked for a trucking company; then moving to Fairbanks; and finally settling in North Pole. Jim was an expert at small engine repair, loved horses, the outdoors life of Alaska, and hunting and fishing. When Jim retired in 1992, Jeannette joined the Alaska state legislature, which brought the couple to Juneau, where they renewed their vows at 50 years of marriage in the company of their children, grandchildren, and many friends. This February, the couple would celebrate 64 years of wedded bliss, more in love than that fateful day in the high school band.Jim is survived by his loving wife, Jeannette A. James of Woodburn; his brother, Frank James of Molalla; his children, Jim and Toni James of Albany; Jeannette (Jeannie) James of Woodburn; Alice and Herb Watts of Oregon City/Dufur; Eva Marchel of Vancouver, WA; and six grandchildren: Robert Leonhardy of Victoria, AU; Janelle Gomez-Morales of Las Vegas, NV; Jennifer and Craig Fahner of Gresham; James James, III and Suzie Frase of Ontario, CA; Rebecca and Jeremy Stewart of Gresham; Ryan James and Katie Markowitz of Portland; eight great-grandsons; and many loving friends and relatives. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn on Saturday, February 4th at 2 p.m. 950 N. Boones Ferry Road, Woodburn, Oregon 97071

Tributes

James Arthur James

October 12, 1928 - January 30, 2012