James Lee Murch

1944 - 2018

James Lee Murch

Salem - James Lee Murch passed away on March 15, 2018 after a 25-year battle with Metastatic melanoma. He was born May 8, 1944 to Wynona and Harmon Murch of Johnson City, N.Y., the eldest of three children. He graduated from Johnson City High School in 1962 where he participated in sports, choir, Methodist Youth Fellowship, and scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1959. He graduated from Drew University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. At Drew, he met the love of his life, Jane Manning of Greenfield, Mass. and they were married in August of 1966. In 1967, he joined the United States Navy and was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as a flight simulator operator and was discharged in 1971. Following the Navy, Jim went on to get his law degree at Gonzaga School of Law in Spokane, Wash., graduating in 1974. After serving as in-house counsel to a bank in Vancouver, Wash., he moved to Salem to join the law firm of Sherman, Sherman, & Bryan. He became partner and stayed with the firm until 2004. From 2004 to 2009, he accepted an appointment as a Circuit Court Judge for Marion County Circuit Court.

Jim's zest for giving, God, nature and good food shaped his active life. He gave much of his time as a volunteer for the Methodist Church as well as singing and traveling with Festival Chorale Oregon. He and Jane enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking, canoeing, wine tasting, cooking,sailing, eating, and debating. Jane and Jim's favorite vacation place was in Bend where they joined two other couples to build a jointly-owned log cabin in 1976. For the next 40 years, they relaxed and entertained many friends and family along the Fall River. Following Jim's retirement, Jane and Jim rolled up their sleeves to work with NOMADS, a Methodist volunteer group traveling around the US in RVs helping Methodist churches with projects. Jim also served for 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Willson House and was highly involved in all facets of the First United Methodist Church of Salem, Ore.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane Murch, his two sisters, Carol Weber of Bedford, Tex., Susan Florio and husband, Tony, of Pawleys Island, SC, brother-in-law, Jeffrey Manning and wife, Karen of Tucson, Ariz., and two sister-in-laws, Maxine Manning of Shoreline, Wash., and Laurel Powell of Hinsdale, N.H. Jim has 12 nieces and nephews scattered across the United States, plus 26 grand nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his faithful dog, Billy, who will miss him greatly.

Contributions may be sent to Salem First United Methodist Church, 600 State Street, Salem, OR, 97301 or Willson House Residential Care, 1625 Center St NE, Salem OR.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 at 2PM at Salem First United Methodist Church, 600 State St. Salem, OR.