James Arthur Nell was born in Tacoma, Washington to Adele Irene and James Robert Nell. He grew up there with his older brother Robert Nell.  During his high school years they moved and ultimately settled in Eugene, Oregon in 1947.  Jim graduated from Eugene High School in 1949.  He served 4 years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany.

 

After serving in the Air Force, Jim returned to Eugene/Springfield in 1954 and went to work for Clear Fir Products. He also attended the University of Oregon for a few years. Jim met Clarice Rae Aherin at the Mayflower Theatre in Eugene while Rae was attending Northwest Christian College. Jim and Rae were married in 1955 in Genesee, Idaho. Over the next decade, they had three children, Jeff, Todd, and Heidi.

 

Jim worked at Clear Fir until 1976 when he left his role as superintendent of the CF Machine Shop.  He and his family later moved to Roseburg where Jim worked as superintendent of the Roseburg Forest Products Machine Shop in Dillard for both Kenneth and Allyn Ford until he retired in 1994. After retiring, Jim worked as a consultant for Struble Manufacturing for a few years.

 

Throughout the 60s and 70s he was very active in his community and enjoyed all things outdoors. Jim was an elder at the First Christian Church in Springfield, and he and his family attended many gatherings and events at “The Church”.  He was also a leader in Cub Scouts, Webelos and Boy Scouts.  Jim and his family were very involved in the University of Oregon Friendship Foundation and hosted families from 10 countries.

 

He had a great sense of humor and was known as that fun loving person who enjoyed fishing on the McKenzie, water skiing at Dexter and Crescent, playing basketball and football with kids in the neighborhood, camping with his family at Honeyman, and going on outdoor journeys with the scouts.  Jim loved cross-country skiing at Cinnamon Butte, traveling, and watching the Ducks play football and basketball. 

 

Throughout his life, Jim loved to design, build and fix things. He was also an amazing artist! Jim remodeled five houses, three of which he donated his time to and were not his homes. He enjoyed working in his shop and made countless things out of wood including carved signs, Christmas ornaments, furniture, and much more. Jim took pride in completing all needed repairs around the house. He and Rae collected and refinished antiques, hosted families, travelled, and loved spending time with family during the holidays.  He was an amazing sketch artist and was into photography. 

 

Rae passed in 2010 and Jim later married his second wife, Betty. They enjoyed painting with watercolor, traveling, and watching America’s Got Talent and The Voice. They spent several happy years together until her passing in 2021.

 

Jim and his family made many great memories, over a span of 5 decades, at "The Church". He also loved the song Celebrate by Kool and The Gang.  You are invited to “Celebrate” his life with family and friends at an informal gathering on January 7th from 2:00p – 4:00p at Jim's old "Church" in Springfield -- the Public House.  Please RSVP to Todd at fordux@comcast.net  by 12/31/22 so we can plan accordingly and to reserve your drink ticket (for a gratis Beer/Wine) which will be provided to you at the celebration.  

 

In a second ceremony, Jim’s ashes will be laid to rest with Rae’s in Genesee, Idaho on March 17, 2023 to honor their many years together, the Aherin Clan, and his love of St. Patrick’s Day.

 

Jim will always be remembered as a great father, a good family man, a wonderful friend, a determined fixer, and a hard worker.  Jim was a kind and loving person who did many amazing things for people he knew all over the world. He will be missed greatly.  Jim is survived by his children and their spouses:  Jeff Nell (Rhonda), Todd Nell (Lisa), Heidi Hewett (Mark), seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. 

 

If you are interested in making a donation in his honor, please contribute to the Ford Family Foundation in Roseburg.