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James Henry "Jim" Wilsdon
James Henry "Jim" Wilsdon, 82, died Aug. 5, 2005, of natural causes at his Harbor home.
Mr. Wilsdon was born March 8, 1923, in New York City to James Henry and Dora Elizabeth Wright Wilsdon.
After graduating high school Mr. Wilsdon got a degree in mechanical engineering and then enlisted in the Naval Reserve in November 1942.
He was activated in July 1943, and in August 1944 was appointed as midshipman.
He accepted a commission as ensign in October 1944, and served in the American and Asia-Pacific Theater of Operation before being released back to the Naval Reserve in March 1946.
Mr. Wilsdon had continued his schooling while in the service and began working for Hughes Aircraft Co.
Throughout the course of his employment, he was involved in the design of new aircraft and ordnance.
In May 1949, he accepted an appointment as lieutenant junior grade.
He was honorably discharged in November 1949.
This facilitated his commission as a first lieutenant in the Army Ordnance Corps.
Mr. Wilsdon continued designing for Hughes and serving in the Army Reserve until November 1954.
Mr. Wilsdon remained with Hughes for more than a quarter-century before retiring.
Mr. Wilsdon married
Patricia Ross Oct. 26, 1944.
She died in 1997.
He married
Edna Louise Gore Krapff in Tucson, Ariz. Feb. 14, 1998.
Work was his life, his family said.
He was an avid reader with a passion for classical music and theater.
He enjoyed camping, traveling, and spending time with his family.
He loved to fish in Mexico, camping there for several days with his friends at Hughes Aircraft.
Mr. Wilsdon is survived by his wife of Harbor; children John and Connie Wilsdon of Tempe Ariz. and Lorna and Stephen Steiner of Glendale, Wis.
Also surviving are four grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife, Mr. Wilsdon was preceded in death by a daughter who died at birth, and by his son Ronald Dirk Wilsdon.
Graveside services with full military honors will be rendered at Willamette National cemetery in Portland at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 W. Sixth St., Medford, OR 97501.
Services are in care of Redwood Memorial Chapel and Crematory, Brookings.
Betty L. Christensen
Betty L. Christensen, 72, of Gold Beach, died Aug. 9, 2005, at Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach of natural causes.
She was born July 16, 1933, in Murray, Utah.
Mrs. Christensen grew up in Murray, Utah, and graduated from Murray High School.
She married
Jesse Christensen Aug. 27, 1965, in Elko, Nev.
She worked 25 years at Tooele Army Depot as a press operator and received many awards including several "Sustained Superior" awards.
She lived in Gold Beach for the past three years.
Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her husband and children, her family said.
Her hobbies included tole painting, flower arranging and interior decorating.
Survivors include her husband, Jesse, of Gold Beach; sons Ronnie Tischner, Rory and wife Pam Christensen, Jesse and wife Rhonda Christensen, Richard and wife Maria Christensen, Ken and wife Dee Macey, Gerald Christensen; daughters, Rhonda and husband Jesse Christensen, Rinnette Lloyd, Rashell and husband Gil Garcia, Roylance and husband Steve Renteria, Karla and George Harris.
Also surviving are 27 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Ruby Gorski.
Memorial donations in her name may be made to Curry Good Samaritan Center, 100 Park Ave., P.O. Box 1217, Brookings OR 97415.
Arrangements under the direction of Redwood Memorial Chapel.
Robert R. Zimmerman
Robert R. Zimmerman, 90, of Medford, died Jan. 26, 2006, in Medford following surgery.
He was born July 9, 1916, in La Grange, Ind.
His family moved to the Northwest when he was a child, where he grew up.
His father died at a young age, leaving his mother to raise him and seven siblings.
This necessitated Mr. Zimmerman to join the Civilian Conservation Corps before he was of legal age, so he could help his mother financially.
In the summer of 1939, he joined the Grange in order to play softball on the county Grange team.
He remained active in the Grange throughout his life.
Mr. Zimmerman married
Lorane Bray Nov. 24, 1939, in Vancouver, Wash.
He worked as a millwright prior to going into partnership with his father-in-law Pop Bray, and his brother-in-law Robert Hopkins, forming BZH Lumber Company, a gypo logging outfit in Rainier.
The company moved to the Oregon Coast and eventually to Brookings in 1959.
He retired in 1971 at the age of 55.
He served as a volunteer fireman at Harbor Fire Department, retiring after he had attained the rank of captain.
Mr. Zimmerman and his wife moved the Rogue Valley in 1978 where he enjoyed his large garden on their small farm.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed camping and fishing with his family.
He also enjoyed mushrooming, dancing, watching football and traveling.
The Zimmermans traveled extensively to several continents after his retirement.
Survivors include his wife Lorane; daughter Morna Bastian and her husband, Jerry, of Chilequin; sons Mark and his wife Carolyn of Brookings, Brian and his wife Katherine of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren Laurie Davis and her husband Scott, Cheryl Hinds and her husband Scotty, Greg Bastian and his wife Elizabeth all of the Rogue Valley, Christina Zimmerman of Oakland, Calif., Eric Zimmerman and his wife Yu-Ry of Seoul, South Korea.
Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, three sisters and a brother.
He was preceded in death by his son Steven and three siblings.
A private family gathering was held. At his request no further ceremony is planned.
His cremains will be placed in the garden he enjoyed so much.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Cascade Community Pool, 7800 Division, White City OR 97503 or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland OR 97239.
