James Garfield Heltzel

Jim Heltzel was the second child of John and Margaret Heltzel. He was named for his Grandfather, James Garfield Heltzel.

Jim grew up in Salem, Oregon. He was a good student and a fine golfer. He graduated

from South Salem High School and was President of his graduating class in 1958. He

continued his studies at Stanford University with a focus on electrical engineering. He

then redirected his studies to law and graduated from Columbia University's Law

School in New York City in 1966. He met his wife Judy in New York City where she was

also a graduate student at Columbia, but not in law. Jim and Judy were married in

1966.

Jim returned to Salem to practice law with his father John. This continued a legal

legacy in Salem which began in 1907 with Jim's grandfather, James G. Heltzel. The

Heltzel law firm grew and continues to this day. Jim retired in 2008.

In addition to his interest in golf, Jim loved to travel. In 1964, after studies with

Stanford in Germany, he backpacked through the Middle East, India and Southeast

Asia.

Jim and Judy enjoyed many years of travel which included most of Europe and

Scandinavia as well as Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand,

Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Chile and Peru.

Jim was active in many Salem organizations including: Downtown Rotary (President),

Salem Hospital Board of Directors (President), Salem YMCA Board (President),

Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council (President) and Illahe Hills Country Club

(President).

Jim and Judy moved to downtown Portland, Oregon in 2015. He and Judy enjoyed city

life until Jim was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). This disease

limited Jim's physical activities. He spent his last few years in the Assisted Living Care

Facility of Terwilliger Plaza.

Jim is survived by his wife Judy, son John, daughter Jeannie, three granddaughters -

Emily, Ashley and Carly, and his sister Anne.

The family will remember Jim at a private celebration.

Those interested could remember Jim with a donation to a charity of the donor's

choice.