James H. "Jim" Gowdy 80 of Woodburn, Oregon passed away peacefully in his sleep July 29, 2013 in his home with family by his side.Jim was born in Bend, Oregon to James Steele and Lena E. Gowdy on January 6, 1933.He was raised in Silver Lake, Oregon with his older sister Theta G. and an extended family of double cousins and cousins, his own filly "Isit" and german shepard "Laska", life was good. Jim entered the armed services and served in the Navy with the Seabee's as a draftsman, cartographer, and illustrator.Jim went off to Oregon State University after service to study engineering and perhaps influence the image of the Fighting Beaver should you recognize a similarity to the fighting Seabees mascot of the same period.Jim spent his career as an engineer working for the F. G. "Gib" Lamb family building the Lamb-Weston Corporation into international prominence in the frozen French fry industry.Jim retired and spent the last 35 years of his life in the Willamette Valley with his beloved Sonja who passed away just 10 short days prior to Jim.Jim lived an amazing life surrounded by many friends and family. He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed!We Love You Dad.