James Walter Overgaard

JAMES WALTER OVERGAARD JULY 9, 1937 - OCTOBER 6, 2016 James Walter Overgaard, 79, of Otis, Oregon passed away early morning October 6, 2016 at Hillside Senior Living Community after his courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born July 9, 1937 in Ambrose, North Dakota the son of Walter and Mildred Overgaard. He graduated from Plentywood High School in Northeast Montana and attended Montana State University in Bozeman. He was an active member of Phi Sigma Kappa where he met many of his lifelong friends. Jim married the love of his life Violet June Heppner of Plentywood, Montana on October 15, 1959. Jim and Violet spent their first 9 years of marriage in Plentywood and started their family there. During Jim's early career he worked at Plentywood's only newspaper "The Plentywood Herald" as a printer and photographer. He then left to pursue his lifelong commitment to senior living at the Pioneer Manor as administrator. In 1968 he was hired as administrator of Westmoreland's Union Manor and moved his family to the big city of Portland, Oregon - cowboy boots and all. He then started his own company J.W.O., Inc. which provided consulting, development, marketing, and management of senior living communities, until he partially retired and continued to offer his consulting talents to senior living communities in Alaska and Oregon. Jim was a man blessed with many passions which he loved to share with his family and friends, spending as many hours as possible hunting (always with his loyal hunting dogs) in Montana, Canada, Alaska, and any other place possible. Jim's farm, garden, shitake mushrooms, Japanese maples, and eucalyptus plants helped indulge his true "country boy" personality. He felt it was important to teach his grandkids everything about life on the farm including horses, cattle, chickens, and the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. Survivors include his three children and eight grandchildren: Son, Wade J. Overgaard and wife Lynn and their children Briana, Ryan, and Rachel. Daughter, Jo Dee Post and husband Mike and their children Jaren, Micah, and Jalena. Daughter, Lezlie Franks and husband Greg and children Nelson and Sophia. Brother Paul L. Overgaard. The family is asking in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his remembrance to St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church Building Fund, 1226 SW 13th Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367 or Samaritan North Lincoln Hospice, 3011 NE 28th Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367. A Service will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7810 SE 15th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97202.

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James Walter Overgaard

July 9, 1937 - October 6, 2016