James Pullman

James Leroy Pullman

March 9, 1922 - October 10, 2014

ANCHORS, AWEIGH!

Anchors, aweigh for James Leroy Pullman, who left his homeport on October 10, 2014 on his final voyage. There to meet him on another shore were his wife Lorraine, an infant daughter Jennifer, his parents, and seven of 10 siblings.

Jim's health had been failing for several months and early in the morning of that day, he suffered a massive heart attack. He had left strict instructions that he was not to be revived under any circumstances. His son Jeff and his granddaughter Ena were at his side when he passed. He left this life in much the same way as he led it - with quiet determination and with great effect on those around him.

As with his wife Lorraine, who preceded him, he led an amazing and adventurous life. Jim was born in Marathon, Iowa, March 9, 1922. In high school he was a statewide famed anchor for his school relay team. He endured the Great Depression and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January of 1941. He was sent to boot camp in Great Lakes, Michigan and graduated at the top of his class as a Pharmacist Mate. In 1942, he participated in the invasion of North Africa. After surviving U-boat, air raids, and contracting bulbar polio, he was returned to the United States. He met and married Lorraine Kloeckl in 1944. He was subsequently discharged from the US Navy in December of 1945, and went on to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree, raise a family, and build a career with the State of Oregon Social Services Division (Oregon City, La Grande, Medford, and Salem).

In 1966, he took leave of that career to work for Foster Parent's Plan as their director in South Korea. In 1970, he took his wife and youngest son Roger on a trip around the world (mostly) via freighter and whatever other conveyances available. Stops included Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), India, East Africa, Europe, and South America. In 1972, he returned to the USA and resumed his career with the State of Oregon. He retired in 1982, but was not idle. He took on City Hall and was instrumental in blocking several ill-advised projects that would never have contributed to the quality of life for the residents of Salem. His greatest pride was that he was largely responsible for River Front Park in Salem, Oregon, which was slated to become a convention center. Instead, it is now a park that is much loved and used by the people of Salem.

Jim Pullman is survived by a daughter Eileen (Wayne), four sons - Bob (Betty), Gary (Red Door), Jeff (Annelizabeth), and Roger (Pam), seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He left a large footprint in the community and he will be missed. Thank you, Dad for all that you have done for us. You taught us many lessons over the years, including what commitment looks like and leading by example.

A memorial/celebration of life of the irascible, sharp-witted, and sometimes sharp-tongued JLP will be held March 8 at Pringle Park from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be a pancake feed from 1 to 2 featuring Jim's "famous" Swedish pancakes recipe. Family, neighbors, friends (and perhaps a few opponents) are invited to bring stories and memories of Jim to share. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a local food bank of your choice.