The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

James Charles Burkholder, a longtime resident of Sisters, died in his home surrounded by his family on March 11. He was 91.

He was born in Campbellsville, Kentucky, on August 28, 1915, the first son of Claude Allen Burkholder and Clara Buchanan. He grew up and was schooled in central California. He served in the Army during World War II, where he met his wife Blanche. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year.

He was a successful small businessman in Carmel, California and in Bend for 40 years before retiring in 1976. He moved to Sisters and took up the art of colored pencil drawing, which he continued to refine into his 90s.

His family notes that he was loved for his humor and respected for his strength of character by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by a brother, a sister and a daughter, Blanche, Jr. He is survived by his wife Blanche and his children James, Jr. and Jane.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Central Oregon Health and Hospice.