James Franklin Vines Sr.

1940 - 2018

PASCO, WA - James Franklin Vines Sr. was born on October 17, 1940 in Waynesboro, VA to Harry Russell Vines and Lula Mae Carroll Vines. He graduated in 1959 from Newport News High School where he excelled in track and field as well as playing football. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served a tour in Germany. In 1960, while serving his country, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Anne Marshall. In 1961, Jim and Betty expanded their family with the addition of the first of their four sons. Once his military service was completed, he began working for the Newport News Shipyard which led him into his lifelong career in the nuclear industry. Jim had the opportunity to travel to Connecticut, Japan, and Idaho (twice) to work on projects. In 1979, he moved his family to Idaho Falls, ID for the second time. When his contract was completed, he took a job with Rockwell International at the Hanford site where he worked until his retirement in 1996. Jim decided that he was not finished working and moved to Boise, ID to be closer to his granddaughters and took a job with Micron. In 2004, Jim decided to fully retire. He and Betty returned to Newport News to take care of Betty's ailing mother, Beulah. Upon Beulah's death, Jim and Betty set up a home in Pasco, WA, where he lived until his passing. Throughout Jim's life he had always espoused volunteerism or, as he would put it, "the Lord's work". This was evident in his involvement in his sons' lives and within his church. With four active sons, Jim spent many weekends and nights supporting his sons by serving as a coach, referee, umpire, Senior Little League president, mentor, and dad. This did not preclude him from also volunteering in Southern Baptist churches where he furthered his mentoring of his sons as well as others. As his sons became men, he expanded his church responsibilities by serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, mission volunteer, and in other capacities too numerous to list. In retirement, he joined the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. In this capacity, he was able to provide relief for families experiencing the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters. This journey led him to mudslides in Washington, forest fires in Washington, California, and Colorado, and a hurricane in Texas. Jim's fighting spirit became apparent when, in February 2017, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Given a grave diagnosis with a short life expectancy, he undertook a series of chemotherapy sessions that extended his life for almost a full year. He used his remaining time to visit with his family and friends. He would want to thank those that touched his life during this time, as well as allowing him to touch theirs. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty; his brother, Earl Vines of Hampton, VA; his four sons: James Jr. (wife, Blenda) of Bradenton, FL, John (wife, Jill) of Boise, ID, Jerome of Henderson, NV, and Jeffrey of West Richland, WA; five grandchildren: Olivia Vines of Boise, ID; Jeffrey, Jr. of West Richland, WA; Nicholas Vines of Richland, WA; Abby Price (husband, Brandon) of Boise, ID; and Makayla Vines of Kennewick, WA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews across the U.S.