Jimmie "Jim" Hilderbrand

Jimmie Ray Hilderbrand known to many as Jim passed suddenly after a motor vehicle accident headed home to Halfway from Baker, City on September 12, 2017.  A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2017~11am at the Pine Haven Cemetery in Halfway, Oregon.  Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck (salads & desserts) reception immediately following the interment at the Pine Valley Grange.

Jim was born on November 18, 1929 in Erick, Oklahoma and was the oldest son of Ora and Ethel Essie Hilderbrand.  Shortly after Jim's birth, about 1930, the family moved to Central Oregon. His childhood years were filled with hard life forming times with his siblings Dorothy, Sadie, Leon, Charles and Colleen alongside him.

Jim was drafted into the Army and served in the Korean Conflict from July 1952 to July 1954. He was one of 33 men whom survived a battle which later became the last major battle of the conflict; where 350 men fought out of Outpost Harry.

1954 was also the year he met the love of his life; Theresa Viola Hendrix in Prineville Oregon. They married February 9, 1955. Jim hauled hay into Paulina, Oregon with his brother Charlie. He also topped and fell trees in Prineville and surrounding areas with father-in-law Dan Hendrix. Jim began logging for Brooks-Scanlon in Sisters, Oregon where lived for a couple years. Between logging the two years in Sisters and moving to Dayville, Oregon for another two year logging job, Theresa gave birth to two boys Jimmie and Lee. They moved back to Prineville in 1960 where she had another boy, John.

In August of 1968, Jim moved his family to Halfway, Oregon. He worked for Milo Pope and Chuck Phegley as a timber faller/cat skidder. Jim filled multiple forest thinning contracts for the Forest Service. In 1969 they bought a two-story home on Oliver Lane. Jim continued his work as a logger. Like many loggers, Jim fought fires during summer months throughout 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. In addition he harvested and sold firewood. In 1971 he leased property and started up a small dairy just down the road also on Oliver Road.  It was about then, that their family of five became a family of 7 after the passing of Theresa's sister Linnie. Within a couple years Jim bought the land and home that the dairy sat on. The dairy closed in the early 80’s.  Around this same time an unfortunate accident ended Jim's logging career while logging on Pine Creek. He continued living in the Oliver Lane home till the late 90’s when they sold it and moved to the Koopman Lane home. He added some rooms to the home and lived there till the day he died. Jim was a hard working provider whom will be missed greatly.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Theresa Hilderbrand of Halfway, Oregon; sons Jimmy and wife Sheilah of Halfway, Oregon, Lee of Baker City, Oregon, John and wife Dondi of Clarkston, Washington, Tony of Ontario, Oregon and Monty and wife Sarah of Emmett, Idaho; grandchildren; Jimmie's kids Brian, Jolene, Nicholas and Madeline. Lee’s kids Amanda and Anastasia (Annie). John's kids Jerid and Clay. Anthony's  kids Emilio, Zachary and Aireana. Monty's kids Marcus, Maximus, Megan and Shane.

Jim and Theresa also have a number of great-grandchildren as well as few that have married into the family. Shaelee, Aden, Jace, Cade and Emmalyn belong to Brian and Renee Hilderbrand currently of Pendleton, Oregon. Lois and Jack belong to Jolene and Dennis Carmody currently of Las Vegas, Nevada. Antonio belongs to Amanda and Anthony Washington currently of Baker City. Kaitlyn, Peyton and Abram belong to Annie and Joel Waters currently of Baker City, Oregon. Madison, Noah and Emry belong to Jerid and Shawn Hilderbrand currently of Lewiston, Idaho. Gavin and Ryder belong to Marcus and Tiffini  Hilderbrand currently of Emmett Idaho; siblings Leon Hilderbrand of Prineville, Oregon and Colleen Campbell of Hermiston, Oregon; numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in his death by his father Ora Hilderbrand, mother Ethel Coker, Step-father Park Coker, sisters Sadie Taylor & Dorothy Hannaford, brother Charles Hilderbrand and granddaughter Ashley Hilderbrand daughter of Lee Hilderbrand.

A Huge Thank You to the first responders who provided help at the scene of the accident.  For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Jim, the family suggests the Pine Valley Fair Exhibit Hall (Checks made out to UCP) through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

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