James Statler Leiman

Jim was born on May 25, 1949 in Bellingham, Washington, to John Melvin Leiman (deceased 2013) and Geraldine Tripp Leiman. He was an active boy, interested in everything, observant of all. He had a mischievous streak that showed on his face. The family moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1951 where Jim spent many an hour in the backyard playhouse and the community pool. Jim was nine when he moved to the west side of Los Angeles, California. He took to the sunny lifestyle, and was a longboard surfer and motorcycle enthusiast in his teen years. Jim graduated from Palisades High School in 1967. He attended college in Oakland, CA and at Cal State Northridge near LA, taking graduate courses that interested him. He had a lifelong fascination with history and reading, and a phenomenal memory for just about everything. He lived and worked in Eugene, and in Gig Harbor, & Seattle, WA. He also traveled widely in the USA and abroad.

A Seattle running coach befriended & mentored Jim and ignited in Jim a passion for running. Jim returned to Los Angeles, and continued training under Laszlo Tabori while in his 20’s. Jim ran roughly 26 marathons, and many shorter races. He was the 3rd Oregon finisher at the 1985 Boston Marathon, an incredible achievement.

He met Laura Watson in 1982 in Eugene, and they married in 1986. They first made their home in Eugene, and later moved up the McKenzie River Valley. Jim was a partner in his family forestry business for 34 years. In 2002, he moved to the Cedar Mill area of Portland, where he and Laura adopted their daughters Manisha in 2004 and Shaina in 2005. Jim was an exemplary father, and his joy in his daughters was clear to all. He lit up when anyone asked him about Manisha and Shaina and he loved taking them to breakfast, lunch, or to the Plaid Pantry for treats. Jim loved family vacations and traveling, especially to Hawaii and to Santa Monica.

Jim is survived by his wife, Laura and his daughters, Manisha, (18) and Shaina, (18), his mother, Geri Leiman (97) of Eugene, his sister Nancy Cummings of Eugene, his sister Sara Leiman of Monroe, nephews Edward Cummings, of Eugene and Ian Cummings of Denver, niece Brigida Santos of Los Angeles, and grand nephew Peter Cummings.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Cedar Mill Library in Portland, or to CrimeVictimsUnited.com.

A Memorial Service will be held at on Thursday, June 9 at 3:00 pm at St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, 11265 SW Cabot St., Beaverton, Oregon. A graveside service followed by a Memorial Gathering will be held Friday, June 10 at 11:00 am at Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd, Portland, Oregon.

Please visit the guestbook portion of this site and enter a special memory or message. Thank you.

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR. (503) 292-6611