James William Leslie

James William Leslie, age 89, of Ocean Park, Washington and formerly of La Grande, died October 9, 2004 in Olympia, Washington. A Memorial Service will begin at 1:00 pm on November 20, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way S.E. in Olympia.

Mr. Leslie was born December 24, 1914, to Glenn Ellsworth and Hanna Theresa Bliss Leslie in Joseph. He attended school there before moving to La Grande where he lived for 20 years. He worked as a bank teller for 41 years and served in the Army during World War II. He earned five air medals, a bronze star and a purple heart. He advanced from the rank of private to major in five years.

On May 20, 1941 he married Marguerite Elizabeth Sampson in Olympia. The couple lived in Nyssa and Ontario, where he served as president of the Ontario City Council, as vice president of the First Interstate Bank and as president of the Oregon Bankers Association. He had coffee nearly every day with a rowdy crew of miscreants at the Moore Cafe where in-depth analysis of local sporting events was a key topic.

When he retired in 1976, he was named Grand Marshal of the Christmas Fairyland Parade. The couple moved to Ocean Park where he enjoyed clam digging, salmon fishing, blueberry picking and killing slugs. He was known for his humor, compassion, intergrity and grace and was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Elks Club and the First Methodist Church.

Survivors include children, Laura Perkins of Battle Ground, Washington, Rosalie This of Olympia, Washington and Roger Leslie of Seattle, Washington; five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a brother, S. Bliss Leslie of Lake Oswego, Oregon; a sister, Joanne L. Henrichsen of San Diego, California and other relatives. His wife died earlier.

Memorial may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Olympia or the America Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, Georgia 30368-2454