James P Noteboom

Growing up, James’ family moved often from farm to farm, renting the land to cultivate and live off of. The family raised cows, pigs, and chickens and usually grew wheat crops, but times were tough. In 1929, when the stock market crashed, they could only get 30 cents for a bushel of wheat. They struggled through dry years of small crops, low prices, dust storms, and grasshoppers. Life was hard and everybody in the family worked. It was too expensive for James to go to school anymore after completing the 8th grade.

James joined the Army Air Forces on July 30, 1942 at the age of 21. He started cadet training to be a pilot, but there was not enough space in the cadet school, and instead received mechanical training.

During WW II James served for 20 months in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations with the 69th Air Service Squadron. He inspected planes for flak holes and other damages, examined engines for malfunctioning parts, repaired and replaced broken or worn out propellers, control cables, carburetors and airplane instruments, using all types of mechanical hand tools.

James served in battles and campaigns in New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon. He was honorably discharged December 19, 1945 as a Corporal, having received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Star and the Good Conduct Medal. Best of all, he received no wounds in action.

After the war, James went home to South Dakota, but didn’t stay long. He decided to go visit his brother, Pete, who had moved to Tillamook, Oregon. He lived with Pete and his wife, Gert, and worked for Pete in his welding shop.

James soon met Helen at a social gathering and it didn’t take long for them to fall in love. They were married on September 4, 1946.

James and Helen bought 160 acres south of Tillamook, Oregon. It was there they spent many years raising their family, milking 100 head of cows, raising chickens and pigs, and growing a garden.

James and Helen also built, lived in, and sold 5 homes on the 160 acres of land. If that wasn’t enough, in addition, James had his own milk route, picking up milk from farmers and delivering it to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. He worked at all of this for 32 years. During one period, he worked for seven years in a row, seven days a week, without a single day off.

As a result, “play” didn’t come easy for James. He was an extremely hard worker. However, he and Helen did eventually retire, and they enjoyed several winters in Yuma, Arizona, having fun with new friends.

James and Helen moved to Portland about 20 years ago to be closer to their daughters.

James loved the Lord and was always a faithful church member, helping with construction projects and various other duties, always ready to work and help others, last attending at Greater Portland Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon.

In November, 2011, James and Helen moved to Summerplace Assisted Living, and it was there that James passed away at 10:00 am on July 17, 2012.

James lived his life as a shining display of the fruits of the spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. As a result, his children truly believe James was the best Dad in the world.

James is pre deceased by his loving wife, Helen, having just passed away 3 months ago.

Surviving family include:

Son, Jerry Carver, and his wife, Pat, of Texas

Son, Lonny Noteboom, and his wife, Diane, of LaPine, Oregon

Daughter, Pat Kirkland, and her husband, John, of Damascus, Oregon

Daughter, Kathy Lay, and her husband, Dave, of Happy Valley, Oregon

Four sisters: Bert Oldenkamp, Etta Weaver, Betty Hauser, Rena Boersma

One brother: Paul Noteboom

8 Grandchildren

16 Great Grandchildren

5 Great Great Grandchildren