Dr. James A. Briles May 3, 1934 - May 5, 2011

Dr. James Albert Briles passed away peacefully on May 5, 2011, at the age of 77 due to complications from Alzheimer's. He was born in Seattle on May 3, 1934, to James Alexander Briles, a former sales executive for Armour & Co., and Dorothy Dunseath Briles.

He was raised in southeast Portland, where he attended Fernwood Elementary and was a member of the l951 Grant High School State Championship baseball team. After graduating from Grant High School in l952 he went on to the University of Oregon, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

He completed his postgraduate studies at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine.

While attending dental school he met and married his first wife, Judith Maria English in l959. They had four children: James C. Briles, Monroe, OR; Dr. John N. Briles, DMD, Portland, OR; Jennifer L. Loomis, Napa, CA; and Jill M. Parisi, Lake Oswego, OR. Jim later met and married Mary Ellen Ede in 1979. Mary Ellen and her three sons: Robert McMullen, Portland, OR; Bill McMullen, Portland, OR; Chris McMullen, Beaverton, OR were joined by the Briles family. That's the way they all became the Briles/McMullen bunch!

Jim's humanitarianism was exhibited throughout his nearly 40 years of practicing dentistry in downtown Portland. He had a special gift when it came to connecting with his patients. Patients living in other states and even as far away as London, England came back to Portland to see Jim Briles, their trusted dentist. He saw many patients who came upon hard times; Jim would not deny them dental care and treated them over the years at no charge.

Sisters was a perfect fit after retiring from Jim's dental practice in 1997. He and Mary Ellen, better known as "Honey Face," could surround themselves with the things they loved the most, raising their Arabian horses, golfing, boating and sharing the sunshine with family and friends. When approaching the Rain Dance Ranch, one would most likely find the Bull Moose out on the deck, soaking up the sun and rocking to the sounds of Sinatra, Willie, Merle, and Tony Bennett.

Jim is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary Ellen Briles, his sister Beverly Joan Niedermeyer, seven children and 17 grandchildren. This loving husband, brother, father, granddaddy, and friend, better known as "The Bull Moose," will be sorely missed. Jim Briles loved life and lived it to its fullest, creating so many memories and so much laughter.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 4, 1 p.m. at World Forestry Center Cheatham Hall. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Signature Hospice, 25117 S.W. Parkway, Ste. F, Wilsonville, OR 97070-9697.