Jim Holcomb May 1, 1944 - January 31, 2015

Jim Holcomb passed away suddenly while hiking near Sisters on January 31, 2015.

Jim was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 1944 to James and Ann Holcomb. He received a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and completed his post-graduate degree at Arizona State University. He married his wife Jeanne on July 6, 1968 and they began their life together as teachers for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Pt. Barrow, Alaska.

Jim was a private pilot and worked as a flight traffic controller for the FAA from 1973 until he resumed his teaching career in 1981. In 1977 Jim and Jeanne moved to Homer, Alaska, where they raised their three children.

In 1996, they relocated to Central Oregon and have lived in Sisters since 2000, where Jim pursued kayaking, hiking, backpacking, running, camping, cycling and skiing. A part of his heart always stayed in Alaska and for his 60th birthday, Jim and Jeanne took a self-contained bike trip from Anchorage, Alaska, to Sand Point, Idaho.

Jim worked as a fitness trainer at Sisters Athletic Club where he was able to share his gift for recognizing and helping others to reach their true potential. He was an active member of the St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church Justice and Peace ministry.

His family and friends will remember Jim as a man of irrepressible energy, steadfast integrity, quick wit, strong opinions and spiritual depth. Jim lived by an abiding sense of justice and compassion and always strove to learn more, try harder and become better. He inspired others to do the same.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother Jon and sister Ellen; by Jeanne, his beloved wife of 46 years; son James (Genny) and grandson Zachariah; daughter Deevy (Jim) and granddaughter Zidane; and son Josh. Known for providing others with apt nicknames, Jim received one of his own by his then-baby granddaughter. To her and others, he will forever be remembered as "Dumpy."

The family wishes to extend gratitude to the Deschutes County Sheriff deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers who answered our call on January 31. Your kindness and respect lightened our burden.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church, 123 Trinity Way, Sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to The Shepherd's House, 1854 N.E. Division St., Bend OR 97701 or Catholic Relief Services, www.crs.org.