James Jay Severns

James Jay Severns, age 86, of Milton-Freewater died December27, 2004 at the VA Hospital in Walla Walla. The funeral will begin at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston, 685 W. Hermiston Avenue. Burial will follow in the Hermiston Cemetery, along with a reception at the Hermiston Senior Center on Orchard Avenue.

Mr. Severns was born September 4, 1918, to James and Myrtle Jones Severns in Monida, Montana. The family moved to Echo in 1954 and lived in Hermiston from 1961 until three years ago when he moved to Milton-Freewater. He served in the Army during World War II and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for 40 years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Survivors include children, James Severns, Jr. of Federal Way, Washington, Daniel Severns of Hermiston, Jane Sturgeon of Milton-Freewater; 12 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; a brother, Donald Severns of Albany and a sister, Iris Bates of La Grande. His wife, Effie Beulah Severns, died earlier.