James G. Harris

Harris, James G. 79 05/17/1931 12/04/2010 James George Harris was born in London. Separated from his family at age 6, he was sent to the Fairbridge School on Vancouver Island, B.C. At 16, he entered a trade school while working at BC Hydro Utility, followed by working in construction, servicing heavy equipment. He found that this was not his calling. At 29, seeking other career options, he moved to Hawaii with his wife Lillian, where he found employment selling heavy equipment. Working for various equipment manufacturing companies, he moved from the islands to San Francisco, Chicago, and finally Portland. In 1978 he became an equipment leasing broker after purchasing a small leasing company in Lake Oswego. It was the beginning of Allco Enterprises, Inc. Jim believed in total independence and a hard work ethic to accomplish his goals. Entrepreneurship agreed with him as he was able to put all of his energy into helping businesses become successful through leasing. Being a self-educated man, he read financial papers avidly. He often said, "To get a real business degree, read The Wall Street Journal." Allco Enterprises became a very successful company, which he sold in 2005 to pursue other interests. Jim thoroughly enjoyed life and among his many activities he found that boating was a good diversion for him. He tried to spend as much time as he could on his boat on the Columbia River as well as the San Juan Islands. His ultimate trip was piloting to Alaska and back for the summer. Another adventure he loved was the thrill of white water rafting. Trips to the middle fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, the Deschutes River in Oregon, and annual trips for over 25 years on the Rogue River were special events for him. He also loved swimming and got up early every morning for many years to swim laps before going to the office. Deep sea fishing expeditions in Mexico added to his enjoyment. He remodeled his home to be the ultimate entertainment place and then took full advantage of it-entertaining and teaching others his culinary expertise while drinking a martini. Jim was married twice, but left no direct descendants. Ann Lewis and John Mazanek, Lillian's youngest siblings, lived with them when they were teenagers and remained close to the end. Jim often said they were like a daughter and son to him. In later years, his concern for how he could leave the world a better place became important to him. His focus turned to those willing to work to help themselves, but because of lesser backgrounds or challenges, needed additional help. To this end, he established the Fairbridge Foundation to fund and develop a program to identify those who would benefit. The program's eventual goal is to have those who have been helped, participate by helping others in return. Jim died peacefully in his own home with his close friends and his companion, Jean Nations, by his side. He has left behind many, many friends who will miss him immensely. What he liked to say was, "It's been a helluva ride." Jim's legacy will be that he left the world a better place. His life will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, in the Columbia Edgewater Country Club, 2220 N.E. Marine Drive, Portland, OR 97211; 503-285-8354. He requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Fairbridge Foundation c/o Hodges and Hart, 6915 S.W. Macadam Ave., Suite 145, Portland, OR 97219.