James Audrain

James Harold Audrain

1925-2014

James Harold "Jim" Audrain of Reno passed away peacefully on December 9,2014, he was 89.

Jim was born October 22, 1925 in Reno to William Roy and Peggy (Thornton) Audrain. He attended Southside Grammar School, Billinghurst Jr. High where he lettered in basketball, and Reno High where he played football.

In June of 1943, at the age of 17, Jim enlisted in the US Navy. He served on the USS War Hawk, a troop transport ship, and later on the USS Shadwell. Jim was a motor mechanic on the landing craft, and participated in the liberation of the Philippines in 1945.

Shortly after his honorable discharge in 1946, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Lois Dickson. Jim and Lois had 2 children, Stephen James born in August 1947 and Wendy Jo born in August 1949. Jim started working for Isbell Construction in 1949 and the family lived in New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Utah during this period. After their return to Reno, while Jim was still working for Isbell Const, he was active in coaching his son's Little League, Babe Ruth, and fast-pitch softball teams. The family also enjoyed many wonderful camping trips through the years. Jim and Lois divorced in 1975, but remained friends until her death in 1999.

Following his divorce, Jim met Rae Petersen and they were married in May 1976. They enjoyed traveling in their RV for several years, and then bought a small house at Frenchman Lake, CA in 1983. They refurbished their "Cabin in the Pines" on weekends, and after their retirements in 1985 (Jim from Helms Const and Rae from Washoe County School District) they spent many happy years fishing, snowmobiling, and entertaining family and friends.

Jim was the epitome of a "man's man" and never encountered a task he wouldn't tackle. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing and many of those memorable stories are still shared among family and friends. Jim was endowed with a quick wit, and enjoyed a good joke, freely sharing many of his own. Jim was always a hardworking, honest, and forthright man - you always knew where you stood with him, on any subject!

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife and mother of his children Lois Hemsey, and his older brother Thornton. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rae Audrain, son Stephen (Rebecca) Audrain, daughter Wendy Pierce, both of Reno, sister Dawna (Don) Johnson of Fallon, Nevada, step-son Bill (Charlene) Petersen, step-daughter Dr. Mardelle Petersen, eight grand children, 16 great grand children, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to the staff from Home and Health and the ladies of Gentiva Hospice who took such wonderful care of Jim for the past several weeks.

To honor Jim's wishes, no services are planned. He will be cremated and his ashes spread in the Nevada mountains he so loved.