James "Jim" Schocko

James “Jim” Schocko, 82 of Gresham passed away May 28, 2022. Although born in Kalispell, Montana, Jim spent most of his youth in Oregon growing up with one brother, Keith, and one sister, Judy. He entered the Navy in 1957 at the age of 17 where he acquired his GED and excelled in his training to become a plane captain aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CVA-61.

After his discharge from the Navy, Jim worked at a variety of jobs while raising a family and going to Portland Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. This lead to his life-long career as a Quality Engineer. He retired from Precision Castparts on the first day of summer 2002.

As a Boy Scout Jim earned the rank of Order of the Arrow but his scouting days did not end there. He was the Troop Leader for his son’s Troop 351 for several years taking them on monthly camping trips and fund raising with their annual Christmas tree sale. His involvement with his children and their activities continued on to Little League. Never wanting to leave anyone out, he was the team’s coach for each of his 6 children taking them to all-stars numerous years. Because of his love of Little League and to ensure Little League continued in his neighborhood, he was instrumental in the merging of Portland #1 and Southeast Portland Little Leagues where he was President of the newly formed Southeast Portland #1 Little League.

His love of softball took him to becoming an umpire until he retired earlier this year. He umpired for high school, church leagues, The Valley Invitational, PMSA, NAFA, ASA, as well as traveling to Arizona for the 2008 Senior Softball World Championship. In his book a ball player was a ball player. He didn’t care if they were men or women, black or white, gay or straight, young or old. He umpired the game with the same degree of professionalism and fairness. Little did they know that in 2011 a stroke left him blind in one eye. Yep! The umpire really was blind in one eye!

After his retirement he and his wife, Barbara, set a goal of visiting all 50 states before their death. Due to Covid they did not reach their goal leaving only 4 states unvisited. However, they went more places and saw more things than most people. They zip lined in Montana, went up in a hot air balloon in New Mexico, hiked numerous trails including the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and part of the Appalachian Trail, toured caves, ate buffalo wings in Buffalo, New York, and sat in their car on a two-lane rural road in Wyoming while cowboys drove cattle around their vehicle just like you’d see on TV. Truly a retirement well done!

In addition to traveling, Jim took up watercolor painting in his retirement. His work has been admired and loved by family and friends. He painted the beautiful and interesting things he saw in life. He has left behind hundreds of paintings that will be treasured forever.

His grandchildren were the light of his life. Taylor, Paige, Xavier, Gavin, Amaya, and Darius were each cherished in their own special way. He always looked forward to their annual camping trips. He volunteered in their classrooms, attended BMX races, tennis matches, soccer, basketball, football, and lacrosse games, horse shows, award ceremonies, graduations, plays, and music concerts to name a few. He was their Poppy!

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Corinne Schocko and his brother Keith Schocko. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara; his sister Judy Hopkins; sons Kevin Schocko; Craig Schocko (Adrianna); and daughters Jennifer Schocko (Doug Clancy); Terri Kunkel (Lance); Cheryl Veach; Jamie Schocko (Bernie Chapman) and his 6 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association in his memory.

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held at 11:00am with a reception to follow on Monday, June 20, 2022 at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd in Gresham, Oregon. Private Military Honors and Committal Services to be held at Willamette National Cemetery.