James “Jim” Lee Merrill, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and consummate jokester, passed away on November 14, 2018 from complications of lung cancer. The long-time Boring resident was 68.
Born in Minot, North Dakota on June 3, 1950 to Ted and Kay Merrill, his early years were spent on a small farm the government rented to his parents who had both proudly served in WWII. During childhood, Jim and his family lived in Burlington, North Dakota, Sheridan, Montana, and Trout Lake, Washington before settling in White Salmon, Washington where he graduated from Columbia High School in 1968. Following graduation, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served until 1972, when he was honorably discharged. As a sergeant, Jim completed two tours in Vietnam during 1969 and 1970 where he was a communications specialist. His commendations include the National Defense Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Vietnam Service Metal with One Bronze Star, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 2011, Jim was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer that was later determined to be a result of his exposure to Agent Orange.
Upon discharge, Jim attended Mt. Hood Community College, earning an Associate Degree in Communications and later attended the Oregon Police Academy. A sledding injury in 1973 sent him to Skyline Hospital in White Salmon where a young nurse-in-training named Kathleen “Kathy” Woodruff would treat him. Jim knew in an instant that she was and always would be the love of his life and in 1975, they married at Kathy’s childhood home in Trout Lake. Jim and Kathy settled in Portland, Oregon where in 1976, he joined the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department.
While working for the county as a corrections deputy, Jim was integral in the development of the county’s peer support program and was known by his co-workers to always be there with an ear to listen or a joke to share in their time of need. He was also very active with the sheriff’s union, helped organize charity golf tournaments and fishing derbies, and throughout his career worked at most of the county’s facilities including Rocky Butte Jail, Multnomah County Detention Center, Inverness Jail, and Multnomah County Correctional Facility (aka the Farm). Jim retired in 2007 after 31 years with the county.
Jim’s compassion and sense of humor was only surpassed by his hope and faith in the Lord. Shortly after Jim and Kathy started their family in 1979 with the arrival of daughter, Alyssa, Jim and his family faced a series of heartbreaks. Son Benjamin was born premature in 1982 and passed away the following year. Also in 1982, Kathy was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and lost her battle in 1984. Then in 2008, son Christopher died tragically in an accident at age 24. Through all of this, Jim’s life came to speak of a quiet yet deep faith in Jesus, the One who had rescued him and by the power of the Holy Spirit was restoring him. He sometimes questioned what God was doing yet he also felt an inner peace that passed all understanding as he leaned on and trusted in Jesus’ love for him and for the loved ones who had gone before him.
Jim responded to life by being quick of whit with a quirky sense of humor. He tended to not mince words and was a straight shooter, figuratively and literally – as anyone who joined him at the shooting range could attest to. In life, Jim loved fishing on the Columbia River, camping, hunting for moles in the backyard, time spent with friends and family, and of course, a good meal. His humor, generosity, bright smile, bear hugs, and ability to listen without judgment, will be missed by everyone who loved him. Among those greeting Jim in heaven were his parents, wife Kathy, sons Benjamin and Christopher, lifelong friends Mark Holmes, Mary Holmes, and Steve Schaffer, and so many more he loved while on earth.
Jim is survived by his daughter Alyssa (Dave) Penicook and granddaughters Molly and Katherine Penicook of Medford, Oregon, brother Terry (Peggy) Merrill of Albany, Oregon, sister Jeri (Larry) Rector of Parkdale, Oregon, and his niece, nephews, and their families.
As Jim always loved to do, please dress comfortably and ready to share a good story. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to The Dougy Center (www.dougy.org), a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon that offers support services to grieving children and young adults.