James Welby TRASK

1929 - 2016

James Welby TRASK obituary, 1929-2016, Gresham, OR

BORN

1929

DIED

2016

James TRASK Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 22, 2016.

James Welby Trask passed away at his home shortly before his 87th birthday surrounded by his loving wife, Marlene, and children. Jim is survived by his children, Teresa Walton (Ron), Jeffrey Trask (Becky), Cindy Ross and Julie DuPont; 11 grandchildren, Colleen, Stephanie, Heather, Nick, Alison, Jennifer, Jamie, Matthew, Jared, Jacob and Jordan; and 12 great-grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Jade, Amber, Orin, Anna, Alyssa, Lacey, Riley, Adam, Harper, and Elijah.



Born and raised in Portland, the son of James and Susan (Cutler) Trask, Jim was a lifelong resident of Portland and Gresham. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Vincent.



Two months after graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1947, Jim joined the US Army where he proudly served in Korea and Japan. Jim was a dedicated Patriot. He was proud to fly the American flag on the pole in the front yard of their Gresham home.



After his honorable discharge from the Army in May 1950, Jim met his future bride, Marlene Hohenleitner. They were introduced by mutual friends in September 1950. Jim proposed to Marlene one month later and suggested they get married April 1st. Marlene accepted the engagement ring and, recognizing his sense of humor, convinced him to set their wedding date one week later on April 8, 1951, rather than on April Fool’s Day. Their formal ceremony was at Moreland Presbyterian Church and they honeymooned in Vancouver, B.C.



Shortly before their marriage, Jim started his career working in the de-burring



department at Iron Fireman Manufacturing Company, a coal stoker company that had built aircraft parts for defense during World War II. Before Boeing acquired the Portland plant In 1974 Jim had seen many company name changes. The firm was owned by Electronic Specialty, then Radiation International prior to becoming Boeing Portland. During his 41 years, he had worked on grinding & profile milling machines, served as supervisor, layout man and trouble-shooter.



As newlyweds, Jim and Marlene bought their first home, hoping to start a family soon. Their first child was a daughter, Teresa Lynn, born in 1954, followed by son, Jeffrey James, in 1956, and daughter, Cindy Kay, in 1959. They moved to the Creston neighborhood in 1962 and were blessed with their third daughter, Julie Anne, in 1969, completing their family.



Jim was active with the Boy Scouts for seven years while his son, Jeff, was growing up, accompanying the boys on monthly weekend and summer camping trips. One summer the fathers drove 54 teenaged Explorer Scouts to Philmont, New Mexico, for a three-week camping trip. While sightseeing through San Francisco on the trip south they stopped at Joe DiMaggio’s Restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. Joe greeted them at their table—quite a thrill for all the boys and their fathers to talk to “Joltin’ Joe”!



Always an athlete, Jim ran track, played football and basketball. He was center fielder and first baseman for his employer’s fast-pitch softball team, hit 168 home runs and was honored as the Industrial League Outstanding Player of the Year in 1964 by the Portland Softball Association. He suffered serious back injuries sliding and stealing bases through the years and reluctantly quit softball after 21 years of competition and fun for himself and the family. He also coached his son’s Little League baseball team and the Boeing Women’s baseball team.



Now 64 years old & retired, he joined friends in the Big Mouth Golf League at Glendoveer Golf Course and got a hole-in-one. All of his life he enjoyed participation in league bowling teams and at the age of 70, rolled 17 consecutive strikes, scoring a 300 game and 279 game. Marlene was now bowling with him in a Senior League.



They traveled the Northwest with friends, Pepper and Mary Howland, to walk in 246 Volkswalks. Jim and Marlene made memories travelling with their many friends on cruises to Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, Panama Canal and the Scandanavian countries & Russia.



Jim’s retirement now could be termed Volunteerism. He joined the Boeing Portland Retirees Holiday Community Outreach men and women every October under the leadership of co-workers Kelly Broomall and Fred Kreiger to build thousands of hand-made doll cradles, cars, trucks and trains. Every Christmas the toys were delivered to area hospitals, charities, and directly to homes.



The retirees became known as “Kelly’s Elves”. Following the events of September 11, 2001, this program focus grew to include the children of those lost in the attacks on the Pentagon and New York City. Working closely with liaisons from the NY Police & Fire Departments plus military representatives, the Elves produced 275 additional cradles and train sets, equaling 7000 volunteer hours over two years –for the families of 9/11 victims!



Jim also became a member of the Boeing Highway Cleanup crew on a regular basis.



During his lifetime, Jim donated 33 gallons of blood to the Red Cross and volunteered there every week from 1992 to 2016 and served on the Board of Directors his final year. His smile brightened every room he entered. He was a friend to everyone .



Jim and Marlene shared more than 65 years of beautiful experiences together with their loving family and friends. Jim was truly a gentle man.



A Committal Service with Military Honors will be held at 2 pm Thursday, December 1, 2016, at Willamette National Cemetery with Command Sergeant Major US Army Retired Gerald Schleining officiating. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Trinity United Methodist Church, SE 39th & Steele Street, Portland. Friends and family are invited to attend both services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to American Red Cross or Providence Hospice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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December 31, 2016

Dianne Robb

I wish the world was filled with Jim Trasks.
If it were, all men would respect and cherish their wives, teach & guide their children, adore & dote on the little ones that followed.
Comfort & pride of place would be given to those who came before.
The world of Jim Trasks would obviously contain many fine-haired frogs that were undoubtedly, " Ornery as Ever" and when one who is definitely not a" Girl " anymore rang to speak with Marlene, was thrilled when Jim still called her, "Kiddo."
You are forever in my heart. Your kindness knew no boundary, your acceptance had no limit.
No, a world of Jim Trasks could just never happen- You were one of a kind.

December 30, 2016

Jacob Ross-King

My Grandpa Jim always treated all of us very well. One of my fond memories of my Grandpa was his cooking. He always made the best open-faced cheese sandwiches. No matter how hard I try, I can never make them as good as he did.

Grandpa Jim was a very good man, and I will always love him and miss him.

December 30, 2016

Nick Ross

At a time when my family was in crisis my Grandpa Jim and Grandma Marlene took my sisters and I in and brought structure and normalcy to our otherwise turbulent lives. They gave us wonderful Christmases and family vacations. Grandma made us home cooked meals every day, with the exception of grandpa's famous omelets on weekends. Grandpa was the first positive male role model I had growing up. I cannot imagine what my life would've been without my Grandpa Jim. He bought me my first bicycle and taught me to ride it. But more than that my grandpa has taught me what it means to be a loving man, a moral man, a kind man, and a man with honor. And in doing so has given me lifelong motivation to live as he did. He was truly a good man and I will always miss him.

December 30, 2016

Jordan DuPont

Growing up with as a single parent wouldn't have been easy for my mother had it not been for the kindness and love of you two. There was never a moment in my childhood where I felt that I didn't have love and support. I remember my Saturday morning breakfasts you made me, our peanut butter and pickle sandwiches, or sitting across from you at the dinner table every night. You taught me so many life skills that I will always carry with me. Once I even gave you good luck while bowling and you bowled a 300 game! I am so flooded with memories of you, and I only hope that more and more come back to me. You are such a beautiful person, and I feel blessed to have been raised by someone like you.
You will never be forgotten, grandpa. I love you so much!

December 29, 2016

Terri (Teresa) Walton

December 23, 2016

Jeff Trask

I'd like to share a few great memories that I have of my Dad.

I learned so much from him. He taught me how to catch a fish, how to swing a golf club, how to swing a bat and catch a fly ball. When I needed help with my math, he was there. He coached my Little League baseball team. I got to help him during the many times he remodeled part of our house and in the process he taught me how to build things. At first I'm not sure how much help I was, but he was teaching me how things work. He taught me so many things about life just by the way he lived and interacted with other people. He always set the right example.

When I joined the Boy Scouts, he was very involved with my troop. We sold Christmas trees every year to fund activities, and Dad always helped out with that. He joined us on tree cuts, sometimes in the snow, to gather the trees we were going to sell. Then he would also be there to help out when we were selling them at the tree lot in the corner of Safeway's parking lot. My troop was very active and we went on a weekend campout every month. He went on almost all of them with us. Every summer, my Dad joined us on our week long summer camp. The first summer, we went to Camp Baldwin for a week. My Dad really liked peanut butter, and he ate it whenever he had a chance. At the end of the week the Troop crowned him the Peanut Butter King and awarded him the first ever Peanut Butter Merit Badge. The next summer in 1969, we spent a week at Spirit Lake. While we were there, we missed watching Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin being the first men to land on the moon. That was disappointing to us because we both loved anything to do with the Space Program, but at least we were together camping. Over the years, we traveled to many other places with the scouts.Glacier National Park, Banff Alberta, the Calgary Stampede, and countless local camping sites around Mt. Hood, along the Clackamas River and on the Oregon Coast. When I was working on my Hiking Merit Badge, he was right there with me for many of the hikes, even on the 20 mile hike that I had to do. And when I was working on my Bicycling Merit Badge he went on most of the trips, even the 50 mile ride that I had to do. We had some great experiences together and both of us made a lot of good friends. I know that he had as much fun in the Scouts as I did!

I always wanted to be just like my Dad. After I graduated from High School, I applied for a job at Boeing where he was working. The fact that I was Jim Trask's son helped me get hired because he had such a good reputation there. He had already been working there for 23 years at that time. For quite a few years, people that didn't know me would look at the name on my badge and say Oh, you're Jim's son. He used to joke with me 15 years later that people that didn't know him would look at the name on his badge and say Oh, you're Jeff's Dad. Yes, Jim Trask was my Dad, and I was so very lucky to have him for my father. I will always miss him, but a part of him will always live on in me through the strong positive influence he had on my life.

Love you always Dad!

Posted by Jeff Trask

December 22, 2016

Eric Wilson

When I was a young man, I was so very fortunate to be included in the day to day lives of the Trask family. Jim was in very many ways a surrogate father figure but, more than that, he was a constant and unwavering beacon who, through his dedication to family taught me very much about being a not only a good man, but a good person as well. He was always so very gracious to share his table and his wisdom with me. His opinions helped to inform and round my own young and sometimes brash point of view. He shared in my successes and held me to task when I fell short of his expectations. It has been years since I last saw Jim but, in testament to his character, I always knew that I could show up on the doorstep and be genuinely welcomed with a great big grin and a handshake from one of his massive hands. He was so very kind, gentle, and open... I am truly sorry I did not take the opportunity to show up on the doorstep in so very long... I will forever count myself as blessed to have had the chance to know and respect him. I have such a great amount of sympathy for you all, please take care.

December 21, 2016

Stephanie Ross

"Hello, it's me Steph". "Welllll helllllo me Steph" Grandpa would always say when I called. He had a funny sense of humor.

Grandpa loved and supported his family. He helped Grandma raise many of us grandchildren. In hindsight I'm thankful for the years spent with them because I got to become close with my grandparents.

I have fond memories of going bowling with them on Thursdays and stopping at Mc. Donald's for a vanilla cone on the way home. Going out for pizza to Pietro's as a family. Many weekend trips to the beach. Grandpa would take me out early in the morning for our walks looking for agate rocks and shells. He taught me how to skip rocks one calm morning. One time at Cannon beach he and I got stuck on Haystack Rock looking at starfish, the tide came in quick. Grandpa picked me up and a ran to the beach, he saved us.

Grandpa spent his days getting up very early for work then he would meet me at the bus stop in the little silver car. He'd ask "How was your day Steph?" I'd reply "Fine" He'd ask "Finer than a frogs hair?" and I would giggle and scold "Grandpa, frogs don't have hair!" We would drive home laughing. Grandpa would have a quick spoonful of crunchy peanut butter or a thick slice of Tillamook cheese before taking his after work shower. Afterward we would play a quick game of catch in the spring and summer, in the winter blackjack lessons.

Grandma would get dinner on the table at 5 o'clock every night to make him happy. As I got older I enjoyed helping with those meals. We would sit down as a family and talk about our day. It was at one of those meals where Grandpa taught me to "Think before you speak!" --I still try Grandpa, but sometimes I forget and put my foot in my mouth--

On the weekends Grandpa would cook a special breakfast. Bacon, eggs, french toast, pancakes, and my favorite dish - scrambles eggs with potatoes. He showed me that "cat soup" (ketchup) was delicious on eggs. Grandpa would do his chores. He'd mow the lawn and sneeze. One time a little finch flew into the window. I was SO sad, I thought the little bird was dead. Grandpa scooped up the tiny bird and put him in the grass clippings and put the lid on the can. The warm summer clippings kept the bird safe as it came to. He saved the bird from Patches the cat. When I pulled the lid off the can for the next batch of clippings the bird was not dead, but awake. Grandpa said he was just knocked silly like in the Looney Tunes cartoons. That lesson taught me to love and respect little creatures.

Because I'm older than my siblings I got to tag a-long with Julie. Julie was always busy with activities so I got to go on drives with Grandpa and Julie to drop her off. I spent a lot of quiet one on one time with him. I even got to go on Julie's driving lessons. She was awful at first - sorry Jules - but Grandpa always stayed calm and patient. I listened to his instruction on how to drive manual transmission. I'm an excellent driver today.

He would peel my oranges for me even though I was old enough to do it on my own, I just liked him to do it. He collected wheat pennies. I still put them aside for him, I have quite the collection now. He loved golf trinkets. Anything baseball.

Then there is the video camera era. When we were little we'd get shy and hide from him, as we got older we'd groan and say " there is the video camera again." Well, today as an adult I'm so thankful Grandpa was always there with the camera. We as a family can look back in time and see the family grow, hear his laughter and see his smile and sense of humor and never forget him.

I love you Grandma & family. I hope some of these memories bring you a smile.

December 16, 2016

Cindy Ross

I am very blessed to have been able to grow up with the parents that I have. I always felt safe and secure - my Mom and Dad made a great team, and they were both very involved in parenting. My childhood was amazing, and as close to perfect as anyone could hope for.

On a typical day, Jeff, Terri and I would watch out the window for Harlan to drop my dad off from work. When we saw him coming, we would run to the back stairs where he would take his work shoes off, and I would climb on his back. He always kissed each one of us hello. We had family dinners together daily, where we talked about our day. Dad would usually tell a corny joke, always appropriate for the little ears that were listening. Every day after dinner, I wanted to play a board game, or a card game, and he agreed to do that with me. He was such a good daddy, sitting on the floor night after night, playing kids games.

Dad took us on family vacations too. We often went to the beach, and I remember trips to Disneyland and other fun destinations. I also fondly remember Dad's softball games. Sometimes he came home with scraped knees because he had slid into a base. He was an amazing athlete. In the summertime, he took us swimming at Creston pool, and we would ride on his back through the water, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We did things as a family - picnics, outings, sporting events, etc.

Dad loved the space program, and anything to do with NASA. I was very young at the time of the Apollo missions, but I clearly remember him waking us up very, very early in the morning, so that we could watch the launches. At the time I didn't want to get out of bed, but Dad insisted, always stating that we were watching history in the making. He knew the significance, and I'm grateful now for those times together.

My father was a special type of soul. He was a very kind and gentle man, always generous with this smiles, hugs, and love. He gave of himself unconditionally. My dad led by example, teaching me to look for the good in every person, and that there are two sides to every story. He was an honest man, and an excellent provider, always making sure that we had everything we needed. Even in his last months, he was making sure that his wife, my beautiful mother, would be well cared for.

My father was big on service and giving of himself. When I was a child, he was a scout leader and a little league coach. For the last 25 years of his life, he volunteered at the Red Cross. He also gave blood more than 33 gallons! For several years, he helped make beautiful wooden toys with Kelly and the Santa's Elves volunteers at Boeing.

My father was adored by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandpa Jim made each child feel like they were special.

Dad was frequently laughing, but never at the expense of another. He taught me to not take myself too seriously. He was genuinely a nice guy. I don't know of anyone who really knew him, who wasn't touched by his kindness. This world is a better and happier place, because he was here.

My dad loved me unconditionally no matter what. I always knew that. I was truly blessed to have had him in my life for 57 years.

Rest in Peace, Daddy. You were a very special example of love.

Posted by Cindy Ross

December 12, 2016

Tina (Hankins) Hodge

As a girl, I remember always being treated like one of the kids on the many outings I was invited to. Be it, the beach, the bowling alley, and the company picnics at Oaks Park or just hanging out at the house. He was always quick with a hug when I arrived and made me feel right at home.

At the beach I remember Mr. Trask (I never called him by his first name, I was in middle school/high school, feels wired typing it now) , getting up early to walk to the donut shop to make sure that we had donuts in the morning when we were in Lincoln City, or how he would make sure we got to the aquarium at the time to see the octopus. I always thought that was so nice!

Nice, welcoming and sweet are words I would use to describe my memories of Mr. Trask. It was a long time ago, and most of my memories are lumped with this beautiful family as a whole. I so much fun with them and was deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

December 11, 2016

Mary Graham

Uncle Jim, who was the husband of my grandmother's cousin, and as close as family can get. I never saw him without a smile, I never felt little in his presence. You just felt, around Uncle Jim, cherished and valued and loved. An amazing man who had so much going on, yet gave so much more to others. A man who was living proof that living with your heart on your sleeve was perhaps the best and most enjoyable way to go through life. His long lasting love and marriage to Marlene was an incredible testimony of true love and a shining example of the deepest love possible- where two wonderful people experience all of life together and by each other's sides, lift one another up.

Heaven has a riot of wonderful humans who left a mark on this earth; Uncle Jim is among that group now, and as hard as it is to grieve the loss of someone so profoundly wonderful in heart, thought and action - the influence he left on those he loved is his legacy. Rest In Peace, and love to Marlene and Terri, Jeff, Cindy, Julie, and a bounty of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

December 11, 2016

Alison Ross

My grandpa taught me so much: how to change a flat tire, build a sand castle, tirelessly and patiently attempted to teach me to ride a bike. He also taught me about honesty, integrity, and gratitude with his example and actions. He never yelled or was unkind. I miss him very much. I love you too so much grandma.

December 10, 2016

Julie DuPont

Most people love their parents. They gave us life and nurtured us as we grew. But I really feel like I won the "parent lottery."

Every single thing that is right about me is because of my parents. Because I watched them lead by example every day of their lives. It didn't matter if you were black or white, rich or poor, family, friend, or stranger: my dad treated you with respect, kindness, and a smile. If you were talking with him, you felt like you were the most important person in the room. He was a living example of the Golden Rule. Truly. Every single day.

I remember, as a kid, going on a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood and we'd come across someone. Dad would put on that wonderful smile that showed most of his teeth and greet that person with a "Hi! How are you today?" Later, I'd ask, "Daddy, who was that?" and he'd usually reply, "I don't know. I was just being friendly." It puzzled me as a child. But, that was who he was and, hopefully, who I turned out to be.

I don't really remember ever seeing my dad angry. Even after living through three teenage daughters, one teenage son, and countless teenage grandchildren. I think the thing we were always afraid of was disappointing him. Even as kids, we somehow knew that, to disappoint him, meant that we weren't doing the right thing. That was a far more valuable lesson than a grounding or any other punishment. At least, it was for me. Not to say that I never got grounded--the lesson that there are consequences for actions was an important one. But, to me, even when I didn't know I was learning the lesson, I realized that I wanted to emulate my parents and, if they were disappointed in me, I was failing at that.

I got my sense of humor from my dad. He always brought joy to every place he went. He chose to live his life with laughter and humor and to look for the bright side in any situation. Sometimes, his jokes were corny and would elicit a groan from us kids and grandkids, but his mission of making people smile was always successful.

I also learned thankfulness from my parents. Dad would thank Mom for every meal that she cooked for him. Sixty-five years-worth of "Thank you for the dinner, Marlene!" When he got sick and Mom had to help him a lot, he told her thank you every night when they went to bed. That's just the kind of people they are.

The day before he died, my dad woke up slightly a couple of times. Each time, I told him that I loved him and he replied, "I love you more" and "I love you too, Doll." I'm thankful for that.

I'm sad because my dad was such a beautiful human being and, I feel that if more people were like him, the world would be a better place. His light will be missed fiercely by many but I, for one, am grateful that my life was brightened by his presence.

I love you Daddy.

Posted by Julie DuPont

December 3, 2016

David Stahly

December 2, 2016

Q Madp

I have posted some photos on his tribute page. Thank you Jim for your service and volunteer work over so many years. I'm glad I got to know you over the last few years.

12/01/16 Willamette National Cemetery - Honoring Army Veteran Pfc James Trask
http://www.koreanwar.ourwarheroes.org/trask.htm

Posted by Q Madp

November 30, 2016

Steph

Love you Grandpa!

November 30, 2016

Marlene so sorry for your loss. It was a long time go but the kids and I still remember the ball games and your family.
Cathy Velaga

November 28, 2016

Janis Kramer

Jim, I feel so blessed to have known you. You were always the highlight of my week and I never tired of hearing your stories and wonderful life experiences. Heaven is a brighter place now because it has a brand new angel. Rest In Peace my friend.

November 28, 2016

Thank you for being in our lives. You were the loving example of a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Although the world seems a little dimmer, I count myself so very lucky to have you apart of my family. I will miss your emails, which always made me smile. You were loved. You made a difference. What a gift that is. Karen

November 28, 2016

Thank you for being a wonderful Uncle, Dad, Husband and friend. The world is a little less bright, but we had the gift of you, and thats what I will hang onto. You made a difference and touched so many. Karen

November 27, 2016

Stephanie Ross

My grandfather was an amazing person. He took great care of us children. Raised us to have respect and grow into decent loving adults. I don't know where us children would have ended up without both grandparents. My grandpa was the ONLY positive male roll model most of us had. Not all but most of us. I will miss his corny jokes and his laughter. He's my "Pops" and I'm his "Sicle" I love you grandpa, forever. I'll see you again someday.

November 27, 2016

John King

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4733 NE Thompson St, Portland, OR 972131999

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