Jim grew up in Silverton, OR and on near by hops farms. As a boy he plowed by horse letting it eat at the end of each row before heading back. He attended a two room school house in Butteville, OR and played varsity basketball and baseball at Aurora, OR. He spoke of his first "new technology" the radio (a crystal set). Inspired by Charles Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic, and the biplanes that flew over the farms, aviation was a life long interest of his.

In 1937 Jim moved to Oakland, CA to work at Moore Dry Dock Co. During the war he rose to supervisory positions overseeing the repainting of ships as they came in from the Pacific Theater. After the war he started his own business as a painting contractor. He said one of his greatest rewards was keeping people employed. He painted a wide range of structures from homes to hotels. His son and grandsons worked for him for a time.

Jim met and married the love of his life Helen Stallard in Oakland in 1941. Partners in joys and sorrows they were married 61 years. While living in Oakland he was active in Dad's Clubs, Park Blvd. Presbyterian Church, Billy Graham Crusades, Gideon's International, as well as other organizations. Jim and Helen retired to Felton, CA in 1982. Always an active church member he belonged to several churches in the area as well as the Valley Garden Club. Dad made friends wherever he went.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Helen, daughter Linda, grandson Eric Kenyon and half-brother Willis Morris (of Kanab UT). He is survived by children, Carolee Baird (Robert) of Pleasant Hill, CA, Bernardine Barnes (Kenneth) of Redding, CA, Diane Gothrup of Felton, CA, Gary Gothrup of Oakland, CA and his sister Geraldine Herbert of Florence, OR, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A Memorial Service will be held at Felton Presbyterian Church on January 7, 2012 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 HWY 9, Felton, CA 95018 or to the Salvation Army, 721 Laurel St, Santa Cruz, Ca