Warm thoughts go out to all his family,  and rejoicing in a life well spent. I did not know James, but I know that he is at peace . 
  Sisters in Faith, Aleisha and Debbie Thompson

I am sorry for your loss but thankful for another faithful victory in God’s family. 
I had the privilege of having Jim in my home twice when I lived in Montana.
I’ll never forget something he shared with us at the Bozeman special mtg. 
“You know you’ve forgiven someone when you Want to have fellowship with them.” That was probably in the early’90’s.

We love you, Uncle Jim. Thank you for your heartfelt love, your guidance, and the wisdom you’ve always shared with us. Our hearts are heavy, but we take comfort knowing you’re finally home. You will never be forgotten.

Uncle Jim and John with their mother, Lucinda May Reeder McKellar. Thank you, Jim for your service and dedication.

Our dear Gentle Jim has always been SO VERY DEAR to me🌻 He is so kind and so tender and so loving…..I love and appreciate him  so much and will never forget  long long ago how his message at Milltown Convention affected my heart so deeply. His last words summarized his whole message, and his  life really…..  We don’t know what someone else is going through, so be kind to each other.

I’m so thankful I got to see him at Boring and hear his message in person……. and tell him once again what his kindness means to me..In his message to us, he so gently encouraged everybody to be extra supportive to each other .💝

It was so kind of him to be happy to have a picture together, which meant a lot to me……. I’m so sentimental about family pictures!!! 😊🌻

I cherish the sweet email he sent me when I shattered my heel.   So much empathy I felt.

A kindness verses I’ve enjoyed that reminds me of him::Ephesians 4: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you

I ACHE for  dear God’s help to be kind .like Jim always was…😊🌻

A special poem came to my heart to honor dear Jim😊🌻😊. It is a comfort to me every time I hear it.

Our dear brother Jim always lived his love
By getting help from dear God above

His gentle, tender, kind, and loving way
Can give us all hope each and every day.

In one of my first conventions at Milltown, his message was so touching, so deep and so clear.
I never want to forget what I did hear

With such a loving and gentle spirit,
His heart was putting out a kindness plea.
I have never forgotten
How deeply his message touched me.

He so preciously encouraged us
To be loving and kind to one another
As the most important way
We can be a help to a sister or brother.

We all love and appreciate you, dear Jim
So Sincerely,
Jeanne Wayerski

🌻People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel – Maya Angelo



We are so grateful to God for His work in the life of Uncle Jim. And thankful  for uncle Jim’s full commitment in giving His life in preaching the  gospel  and in serving the Lord. He had lived a life that was well spent.His memories  in the Philippines will be cherished in our hearts.😔🙏❤️. 

Much love from us,   norman & julie from Baguio, Philippines🙏😔💐💐💐

In 1984, Jim was with Craig and Randy and that was when Jeff came to his first  gospel mtg.  Everything was new to Jeff and he was very impressed that Jim was eager and happy to go back to the Philippines.  It was the beginning of days for Jeff and I'm thankful for Jim's faithfulness to God and to God's calling.

The whole friends of SOUTHERN LEYTE is deeply thankful and grateful for the life of Uncle Jim, who dedicated his youth, strength and heart to the Philippines, especially to our humble mountain village. Together with his companions—Uncle Samson, Uncle Samuel, and Uncle Fernando—from 1974 to 1976, they reached out to our remote area despite its challenges. To get there, they had to walk over 25 kilometers and cross river, yet they persevered.

We truly appreciate and value their selfless spirit and unwavering dedication. Uncle Jim would always remind us that he first saw me and my twin sister when we were just three days old—a memory that reflects the many years he spent tirelessly working in the harvest field. His humble, caring nature touched not only our childhood but continues to inspire us even now.

Thank you, Uncle Jim, for being a light in our lives—a candle that burns brightly to give us hope and strength.

We love you, Uncle Jim. You will always be a treasured part of our lives and memories.

Love, 
ISIP FAMILY (PHILIPPINES)

Uncle Jim's life was such an encouragement to all who knew him. He will always be remembered for his  love and interest for the souls of many people, especially the Pilipinos. His kind spirit and tender heart touched so many lives and we will always treasure our memories with Uncle Jim. Deeply grateful for his life and laboured in the Philippines. Surely he will be missed so much but his good example, good influence and sweet memories will remain alive in our hearts forever. We love him dearly!

Thank you uncle Jim for being an encouragement even until your last days...  i always felt the meeting was too short everytime I listened from you speaking.. Have great memories also of  fun conversations...

In one of the Cavite conventions, a visitng worker showed me a picture he took while uncle Jim was sleeping, his small bag as his pillow, nothing else, on a hard floor. I was amazed on how he was able to do that! I don't really know but I'm pressuming that was just one of the many difficulties.

Rest now uncle Jim, your labor was not in vain....

file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/79/09/D548282F-3047-4F97-8115-B993537E2CBA/7201.m4a

Thank u uncle jim ! For the life that was served for Gids people. From Llamar family

Our dear family in Christ - workers and friends:
  Though our  are sad because of the passing of our dear beloved U. Jim but still our hearts are rejoicing  because He was well used by GOD seeking the lost sheeps and continue feeding the flock till his last breath . The word the last he said Keep true and faithful . We are forever thankful to all who give their life and to all  who  came to Phil for the love of gospel and salvation of many souls. I remember U.Jim  stayed at entrance of Convention ground welcoming friends with smiles and humility.We valued our time with him 2014 . Many memories to cherish . Apopka convention ,florida . Stayed with us . I am glad that he knows our plans 2025 and Had a chance to communicate with him thru email . He was true loving and caring servants of GOd . He finished his course with victory . Now there’s big welcome waiting for him - from our heavenly  Father . We’ll never never forget you our dear UNcle JIM . And forever grateful ❤️ The Magos family Guying(ging) Tommy, Arjay, Coney, Jadiel

To the bereaved family of Uncle JIM GIRTON,
        Kindly accept our deepest and heartfelt
sympthaty  on the passing away of our dear Uncle JIM GIRTON. We are very grateful and thankful for giving and spending his whole life
In preaching and spreading the Gospel of God here in our country of Philippines. He has successfully finished the race and surely He is now in God's fold in Heaven.
             We will surely miss you uncle Jim..
Fm: doming and Tessie Arenas n fmly- Santiago City, Isabela, Philippines

To the Oregon staff, friends and family, CONDOLENCE..  Thank you so much for your love and care for our dear Uncle Jim during his last days! Thankful also for the plan for Renante , Larry  Taylor , and Kathy  McLin  to speak at his Funeral! Very fitting  as Larry and Kathy laboured  in the Philippines many years! We valued their labour of labor of love in our country.  THE memory of Uncle Jim will remain in our ❤️  forever! It was Dec. 1966 that he and Nadine  T. Came to  the  Philippines  to labour the same time I entered the Work.  He spent the strength of his youth and gave all for love of souls.  His messages  and text during his last days is very evident  of his endearing and unending  ❤️  for us.! His message about morning with out cloud is his portion  now! No more pain no more sorrow! We love ❤️  you Uncle  Jim

A faithful worker( uncle Jim) have gone to eternity peace and joy. Surely been miss his spirit in all gatherings and meetings. So easy to recall what he always mentioned in the meetings. Very helpful messages.  Also he was a positive thinker.
We would love to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Uncle Jim.

The Alonzo family in Cauayan Philippines

A faithfull servant finish his race gracefully. I will not forget  uncle Jim specially during the pandemic days. Its a great previledge to have him on sundays lunch with 13 local Philippine workers whos waiting for us to have a lunch while sharing our testimonies.

Jim is in the back row by Percy H. I included this one, because many of these people are gone now, but they all have special memories for many of us.

The twins that we appreciated and loved so well.  They had quite a beautiful story.

This is how I remember Jim and John when I was very young. There was a "launching forth" potluck for them at Laurelhurst  Park when I was about 6 years old,  which  I remember  well. We were all so  thrilled, even my little heart.  The man in the center is Carl Simmons, one of our friends who lived in Portland then.

We are so grateful that when you offered to go to the Philippines to preach the gospel, God said YES . I thank you that my country, my people and my family ( The Lorenzana’s) had a special place in your heart. Of course you knew, that you have a very special place in our hearts! You and all the wonderful memories will always be with us.
Salamat Uncle Jim !!
Lori Lorenzana Meola

Uncle James,
You will always be in our hearts and forever grateful. On behalf of the friends in Awayon Church, Mercedes Silago Southern Leyte Philippines,I sincerely extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the whole family. Let's not bereaved but rejoice because he has fought a good fight.

Though we grieve the passing of our dearest Uncle Jim, we also celebrate his life—a life so beautifully and selflessly devoted to God’s work. We take comfort in knowing he has been welcomed into the arms of our Heavenly Father and has heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

With sympathy,
The Elisterio-Gallo Family

Visiting friends during Cavite Convention 2013

This photo was taken during Cavite Convention 2012.

Loved our Manong. 
Cavite Convention, 2018

Remembering our dear Manong Jim through the years. He was part of our growing up years in the Philippines. He stayed in our home while going to language school. 
Our last time together at convention at Cassatt, SC.  He spoke about a strong earthquake that happened in Manila where the whole building collapsed & only one survivor was found, a girl my age.  He told us that the only true foundation is Jesus.  Solid foundation that will stand at every test of time. 
He’s very well loved. Thank you, Manong for all you are to us…
Marylou Gatan

OBITUARY

James Bruce Girton

29 May, 1937 – 21 January, 2025

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services