Jim died February 16, 2013, in Oregon. He joined the Marine Corps after completing high school in Portland, Oregon, in 1940. Jim served in the Pacific Theater and was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

After the war he attended Oregon State and Lewis and Clark Universities. He jumped at Missoula during the 1946-48 seasons. Jim started out as Athletic Director and Varsity Football Coach at Franklin High School and then went on to work as Plant Manager at Mailwell Envelope Co. in Portland, Oregon.