James "Jim" William Wilson

James "Jim" William Wilson, 72, of La Grande, died Aug. 5 at his home.

A potluck celebration of his life begins at 1 p.m. Aug 22 at Island City City Hall.

Jim was born April 15, 1936, in Eugene. He attended grade school there and graduated from Willamette High School in 1955. He married Sharon M. Redfield on Dec. 22, 1959.

Employed with International Telephone and Telegraph, Jim traveled to different job sites in the United States until 1963 when they returned to Oregon. The couple settled in Portland where Jim attended technical school and took electronic classes. In 1966 the family moved to La Grande where Jim was employed by Eastern Oregon College. He worked there for 30 years before retiring in 1997.

Jim belonged to Imbler Christian Church and was a member of the Pleasant Grove Grange, holding the seventh degree. He was a member of the Oregon Two Cylinder Club collecting antique John Deere tractors and other pieces of farm equipment. He was also a member of the La Grande Rifle and Pistol Club. His interests included restoring John Deere tractors, photography, gardening and traveling, with his wife in their travel trailer.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon; daughters, Lyn and Cindy and Coy Boen of Mulino; three grandchildren; two sisters, Velma Griffin of Eugene and La Wanda Johnson of Bend; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Doernbecher Children's Hospital and the Imbler Christian Church Building Fund.

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