James R. Elliott

James R. Elliott, age 75, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, January 7, 2010 at his home.

A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 14, 2010 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with Pastor Randel Livingood officiating. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Grants Pass DeMolay, c/o Grants Pass Masonic Center, 320 NW E Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

James was born October 17, 1934 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was raised there. In 1952 he graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis. He then served in the United States Navy. On September 1, 1957 in Virginia, Minnesota he married Patti Marmas. In 1958 he received a bachelor’s degree in education and was a teacher in Rialto, California until 1964. In the early 1960s in California he received a master’s degree in administration. From 1964 to 1974 he lived in Saudia Arabia where he was principal with (ARAMCO) Arabian American Oil Company Schools. He then moved to Grants Pass and worked for the Josephine County School District (now Three Rivers School District) as vice-principal at Fleming Middle School and principal at Jerome Prairie Elementary School, Lincoln Savage Middle School, Murphy Grade School and Madrona Elementary School. In 1984 he earned a masters degree in counseling from Western Oregon State University.

James was a 32nd degree mason and a member of Grants Pass Lodge #84 AF & AM, Hillah Shrine, Rogue River Masonic Lodge #226, Senior DeMolay, and was a past associate guardian with Job’s Daughters.

His hobbies included fishing, golfing, camping, and traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Patti Elliott of Grants Pass; a daughter, Dorothy Thompson and husband Mike of Tacoma, Washington; a son, Nicholas Elliott and his wife, Linda of Jacksonville; five brothers, Ford Elliott of Luck, Wisconsin, Don Elliott of Isle, Minnesota, Charles Elliott of Tower, Minnesota, David Cline of Vashon Island, Washington, and Steve Cline of Colorado; and four grandchildren, Bryce Thompson, Whitney Thompson-Harner, Tia Elliott, and Tanner Elliott.