James Arthur Rotramel

James Arthur Rotramel, long-time Parkrose educator, passed away November 20, 2014, from complications following surgery. He was born August 2, 1930, in Morris, MN to Lila and Charles Rotramel. He graduated from Morris High School in 1948, and in 1952 received a B.A. from St. Olaf College, where he was a three-year starter in football. He received his M.S. from Oregon State in 1963 and married Susan Robertson in Portland, OR in 1967.

Jim taught science and coached in Franklin, MN (’52-’54) and Dayton, OR (’54-’56). He spent the next 35 years of his career as a teacher, coach and administrator in the Parkrose district, serving as athletic director at the high school from 1967 until his retirement in 1991. His leadership in athletic administration was felt at the state as well as district levels. He helped promote soccer, girls’ basketball, and coed gymnastic programs before they were official Oregon School Activities Association sports. Jim was a past President of the Oregon High School Coaches Association and served as first President of the Oregon Athletic Directors Association (’69-’70). He was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2011. The OADA has presented a Jim Rotramel Service Award in his honor annually to an athletic director who exemplifies the profession with a life-long commitment to serving youth.

Sue and Jim welcomed their sons James in 1969 and Timothy in 1971. They celebrated the marriage of James to Charissa Hanson in 2011. Lila W. Rotramel arrived in 2012, affording Jim the long-awaited chance to be a proud grandfather.

Jim and Sue raised their family in Portland’s Argay neighborhood. Jim enjoyed traveling and spending time at their home in Manzanita, OR. He cherished his church and taught a weekly Bible study there for over twenty years. He was devoted to friends from Parkrose and kept close contact with high school pals and college teammates he first met over 60 years ago. He loved bringing people together: organizing parties, planning and attending reunions, Sunday night suppers with the family. His family was his pride and his joy.

He was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Robert Rotramel. He is survived by his devoted wife Sue, sons Jim (Charissa) and Tim, granddaughter, Lila, and his brother, Bill Rotramel (Oceanside, CA).

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m., Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at Faithful Savior Lutheran Church, 11100 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, OR 97220. Donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the church, specifying “Family Fun Day Project.”