December 24, 1931 — September 2, 2021
Leonard James “Jim” Brady died on September 2, 2021 in Portland, Oregon at the age of 89.
Jim was born on December 24, 1931 to Catherine and Leonard James Brady, Sr. He attended The Madeline Catholic School and Columbia Preparatory School in Portland, then Oregon State University, where he graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in Forest Management and Forest Engineering in 1955. A proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and OSU alpine ski team, Jim always valued the lifelong friendships he made during his time at university.
While in college, Jim’s work experiences reflected a deep commitment to the forests of Oregon. He spent summers cruising timber, planting trees, and acting as a fire lookout for wildland firefighting crews. Upon graduation, Jim began work as a forester for Northern Pacific Railway Company, which merged into the Burlington Northern, Inc. in 1970. He was a longtime member of the Washington State Society of American Foresters.
On September 24, 1966, Jim married Diane Klepper and began nearly 55 years of committed teamwork. In the then-small town of Issaquah, Washington, Jim and Diane raised three children who loved the outdoors and cherished each mile traveled together, especially road trips in the family Volkswagen Bus and too many nights to count in campgrounds across the Pacific Northwest.
Jim retired as an executive with Plum Creek Timber Company after more than 30 years in the forest industry, and began a satisfying second career as a consulting forester, where he was able to spend ample time in the woods.
Jim and Diane enjoyed traveling the world together, from Europe to Asia and the Mediterranean; including their most meaningful trip in 1998 to Moldova and Romania as volunteers with Northwest Medical Teams. But Jim’s happiest days were found at the family cabin in Mt. Hood National Forest, hiking local trails and introducing five grandchildren to the joy of a lifetime spent outdoors.
Jim is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Dan Brady (Pam); daughters Erin Kirkland (James) and Paula O’Neil (John); and five grandchildren, Matt, Owen, Jack, Cate, and Tal. He is also survived by brother-in-law Don Patterson.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathleen Patterson.
Friends and family are welcome to attend an informal indoor and outdoor celebration of Jim’s life at Meadowbrook Farm Park in North Bend, Washington on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (https://www.meadowbrookfarmpreserve.org/).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food bank; or offering a contribution in Jim’s name to Washington State Society of American Foresters Foundation Scholarship fund, supporting educational opportunities of college students pursuing a career in forestry. Please give via the WSSAF Foundation, ℅ Darren Gooding, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1894, Wenatchee, WA 98807
“He that plants a tree loves others besides himself.” ~ Thomas Fuller
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