James N. Hall

James (Jim) Nixon Hall, 92, passed away at home peacefully with family by his side on Sunday November 17, 2013. He was born to Walter Scott and Mae Nixon Hall in Tyler, Minnesota on July 1, 1921. He joined the Army in 1940 and served during World War II; honorably discharged in 1945. He met his wife of 65 years Jeanette Green, at the USO in Astoria, Oregon. He began work with Pacific Power and Light in 1945 after leaving the service and moved around the Pacific Northwest to follow his job. His last assignment was in Selah, Washington as a Rural Representative where they settled for the last 51 years.

Always civic minded, he gave back to his community in many ways. Jim was a long time member of many organizations, among them the American Legion Selah Post #88, the Selah Lions Club, Selah Chamber of Commerce and the Evergreen Masonic Lodge #137 in Seaside, Oregon since 1955. Jim was also a Selah volunteer fireman and was elected as fire commissioner for YCFC#2 Selah Fire Department. He worked on many civic projects including the renovation of the Selah Theater into the Selah Civic Center, building the park shelter at Wixon Park, and erecting the ‘Welcome to Selah’ signs. Jim served as president of the Selah Lions Club and president of the Yakima Valley Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed doing electricity presentations for the grade school children and delivered Christmas trees to several classrooms. Besides his own individual activities he was ever busy working on projects with his wife Jennie. They spent many hours working on the Selah Chamber of Commerce crab feeds and Lions Club oyster feeds. Somehow, as a support person to Jennie’s Campfire and other activities he became a supportive “hands on” part of the program. In 1983 Jim and Jennie were co-honored as the Selah Community Days Grand Marshals. They were recognized for the 22 years involvement in Selah Community Days that ranged from Jim serving as a past chairman of the event, overseeing the public address system and selling buttons.

He was always proud of his family of four children Judy (Steve) Sawatzky of Federal Way, Jim (Roberta) Hall, Jeanne (Ken) Breeding, and Janice Hall all of Selah. He enjoyed his seven grandchildren: Stacy Olver, Darren Sawatzky, Kimberley Hall, Kristina Siebol, James Hall, Christopher Breeding and Andy Breeding and his twelve great grandchildren, Mason Hall, Travis Siebol, Holley Siebol, James Hall, Tyler Hall, Naomi Olver, Mackenzie Olver, Kylie Sawatzky, Skyler Sawatzky, Corey Kliphardt, Kayla Kliphardt, and Jordyn Matthews. Holidays and summer outings were filled with family and friends. Later, his summers were spent fishing at various lakes and salmon fishing at Buoy 10. Riffe Lake Memorial Day weekend became a family outing to remember; growing each year to be a very special event for all attending. After retirement, they spent many months touring in their RV and snow-birding in Arizona. They made many life-long friends. We have lost a great family-oriented, community-minded man.

Viewing will be on Thursday November 21, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and celebration on Friday November 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. will be held at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home in Yakima. A graveside service will follow at West Hills Memorial Park. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the charity of your choice.