James Newcomb

James “Jim” Newcomb, 83, of John Day, OR, died Monday, September 30, 2019 at Cinnabar Adult Foster Home in Mt. Vernon.  At his request, no service is planned.

Jim was born May 3, 1936 to parents Thomas and Katherine Newcomb in Greeley, CO.  His family moved from Colorado to Great Falls, MT, when he was young and he graduated high school there in 1954.  He then moved to the Willamette Valley in 1972, living mostly in McMinnville, OR, until retiring in 1999 to Mt. Vernon and John Day.

Jim married Fern Rowland Brown in Port Angeles, WA, in 1978. Between them they had five children.

 After many years with Carlton Nursery in Dayton, OR, Jim launched J.R. Newcomb Construction in McMinnville.  He ran a successful business there until his retirement. Before he moved, Jim was an active member in the Fraternal Order of the Knights of Pythias Diana Lodge #63.

Retiring to the John Day area fulfilled a life-long dream to live in cattle country.  Jim will be remembered for his sense of humor; for lending a helping hand, tool or equipment from his former shop on Laycock Creek Road; and for crafting custom cabinetry and furniture.

He was preceded in death by his son Stan Newcomb; parents Thomas and Katherine Newcomb; brothers Walter, Frank and Thomas Newcomb; and father-in-law Jerry Rowland.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of forty-one years, Fern Newcomb of John Day, OR; children Liesel O’Hagan and family of Denver, CO, Susan Newcomb of Seattle, WA, Jerry Brown and family of Dundee, OR, Karen Brown and family of John Day, OR; brother Bradford Newcomb of Belt, MT; sister Lynn Shanks of Great Falls, MT; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

For those who would like to make a donation in memory of Jim the family suggests Blue Mountain Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com