James A. Frey

Jim was born on May 5, 1936 in Chillicothe, Ohio to Carl J. Frey and Patrea Kramer. He spent his childhood in Chillicothe and upon graduating high school Jim moved to Columbus, Ohio to attend the University of Columbus.

Jim accomplished two years of his college career before being drafted by the United States Army to serve in the Korean War. He was stationed at the Nike Missile Site. It was his service in the Army that gave him the technical training and motivation to become an Engineer of electronics. When he returned from serving his nation he was hired by Electro Optical Systems and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories in California.

It was in May of 1963 that Jim’s life was forever changed when he met the love of his life, Valerie Nugent, in Pasadena, California. Just two years prior, in 1961, Valerie came to the United States from her home in England, it was a decision that to this day she would not change for the World. Two months after meeting, Valerie and Jim exchanged their wedding vows in Arcadia, California. Jim and Valerie just celebrated 51 years of a loving and wonderful marriage this October.

While Jim and his family were living in California, his work was recognized by the Mead Corporation who asked him to be a member of a specialized research team in Ohio. It was here that he developed patents for the Ink Jet printer.

After nine years in Ohio, Jim and his family moved back to California then to Hawaii. Jim accepted a job with the University of Hawaii working on solar telescopes on top of the Haleakalā Volcano in the East Maui Mountains.

The most important decision of Jim’s life was to make Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior in December 1989.

In 2003, Jim and Valerie made their final move to McMinnville, Oregon, when their son, James Jr. asked them to oversee the development of their vineyard and winery. Knowing next to nothing about being vintners they made the move anyway and discovered that they saved the best for last. Jim and Valerie worked side by side together and learned that they were an excellent team while they oversaw the development and opening of Trisaetum Winery on Thanksgiving in 2007.

While overseeing the development of the vineyard, Jim and Valerie also restored the original farmhouse that was built on the property in 1904. Not only did this become their home but also a treasure and true gem for those that called the farmhouse home years before.

Jim is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife and best friend of 51 years, Valerie; his beloved children, Heidi Farner, James Jr. Frey, and Carla Gangini; and his seven grandchildren.

A memorial service to honor Jim’s life will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 4:00pm at James & Andrea Frey’s home & vineyard, 2600 Trisaetum Lane, McMinnville, OR.

Arrangements and care under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.