James Dort

1945 - 2025

James Bertram Dort (Jim), 80, of Philomath, OR, passed peacefully into the presence of his loving Savior on September 19, 2025, after a two-year bout with metastatic melanoma. His life was shaped by his Christian faith, his caring and genuine interest in other people, and his humility, counting others better than himself.

Jim was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Newton Chaffee and Mabel Cadwell Dort. He grew up in Eastlake, Ohio, with brothers William (Bill), George, Newton (Newt), and Arthur (Art). His father was an engineer and his mother was an accomplished musician who taught voice lessons from their home. He graduated from Eastlake North High School in 1963. His fondest memory of high school in his own words was "the 1963 wrestling team, and pinning the Maple Heights wrestler. Coach Matteucci was a great role model, and it was because of him I pursued coaching high school sports. I became a social studies teacher because of Assistant Coach (Uncle) Frank Smarto who taught me to love social studies." The 1963 wrestling team was inducted into the North High School Hall of Fame in 2013.

Summers were sometimes spent at a fishing camp, Fisherman's Paradise, in Ontario, Canada, where Jim was invited to stay on for the summer to help with chores. It was there that two young men introduced themselves as half-brothers to the Dort clan. Robert (Bob) and Harvey Berzin became beloved brothers to Jim to this day.

After high school Jim joined the US Navy. At his first and only duty station, NAS Agana, Guam, he met his future wife, Cynthia Worley, a lifeguard at the base pool. Her father was his Commanding Officer, and they dated under his watchful eye.

Eight months later Cynthia's father retired at the end of his duty on Guam and moved back to the States, settling in Corvallis, Oregon. Eighteen months later, Jim had completed his active duty to the Navy, returned to Ohio, and after a brief job fueling airplanes at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, came to Oregon. There he attended Oregon State University with Cynthia. They were active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, growing in their faith and creating lifelong friendships. At a Cannon Beach IVCF retreat, Jim dedicated his life to Christ. They were married in the Church of the Good Samaritan in Corvallis on June 5, 1968, and were blessed with three children, James Benton, John Aaron, and Kari Jean.

At OSU Jim wrestled under National Hall of Fame Coach Dale Thomas. After graduation he secured a job at Corvallis High School teaching Social Studies. Coaching was his passion, which included wrestling for seventeen years, and assistant football for twenty-five years. He also helped at track meets, and sometimes hosted Fellowship of Christian Athletes in his home. For many years his social studies students participated in mock political conventions in Portland, OR, held every four years in a national election year, with the opportunity to meet the candidates who were actually running for office. Jim also took students to Washington, D.C., with the Close Up program for many years. After retiring in 2002, he continued to substitute for the rest of his life, especially enjoying the Life Skills class.

Summers were spent doing odd jobs, competing in the Levi's Ride and Tie and other horse races with his brother-in-law, Mark, and creating the Dort Worm Farm, a farmer's market business, with Jim harvesting and Cynthia selling. Spending time with the grandchildren became a priority in recent years, and every October for the past 38 years, a family reunion is enjoyed at Lincoln Beach, OR.

The Lord is sustaining his helpmate Cynthia, son Aaron (Katie) (Newberg, OR); daughter Kari (Philomath, OR); daughter-in-law Jessica Dort (Roy WA); grandchildren James, Charlie and Maggie Dort (Newberg, OR); Jeremiah, Luke and Lydia Dort (Roy, WA); brothers Bill (Judy) Dort (Mentor, Ohio); George (Rita) Dort (Walnut Creek, CA); Bob Berzin (Yountville, CA); and Harvey Berzin (Encinitas, CA); brother-in-law Mark (Birdie) Worley (Salem, OR); and sister-in-law Rebecca (Tom) DeMarino (Battleground, WA). He will also be missed by Katie's parents David and Cindy Hite (Hillsboro, OR), and Jessica's parents Michael and Randena Pitts, and sister Lindsey Pitts (Tacoma WA). He was preceded in death by his son, James Benton Dort, his parents, and his brothers Newton and Arthur Dort, and sister-in-law Linda Lohr (Portland, OR).

Please join us for a Memorial Service October 12 at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 2745 Harrison Blvd., Corvallis, OR. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Benevolence Fund at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 2650 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330.