James Damron

James W. Damron, 82, of Chattaroy, Wash., died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, at Hospice House North in Spokane, after a courageous 2 ½-year battle with cancer.

He was born James Walter Damron Aug. 24, 1934, in Tulare, Calif., to Walter and Gertrude (Snively) Damron. He graduated from Tulare Union High School in 1952, and attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, graduating in 1954. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as a military policeman. He was discharged in 1956. He began his insurance career Dec. 10, 1956, with Great American Insurance Company in San Francisco, Calif. He transferred to Spokane in 1961. He served as assistant vice president in the crop division of Great American, responsible for the Pacific Northwest. After a 46-year career with Great American, Jim retired for the first time in 2002. After a three-month hiatus, he joined ProAg Insurance. He worked with ProAg until retiring for a second time in 2013. His work was a true love of his.

In his younger years, Jim and his brother, Ben, team-roped in rodeos in California. He was a ski racing coach at Mt. Spokane for 12 years. He enjoyed golf, having a hole-in-one in September of 1990. He loved hunting for mule deer in the Okanagon Back Country with his best friend, the late Jack Beeman. His other hobby was horseback riding. He was a man’s man, and you always knew where you stood with him. Under a rough, gruff exterior was a pussycat.

He married the love of his life, Lori Jean Whiton, on Dec. 29, 1990, in Jefferson, Iowa. They enjoyed building their home in Chattaroy and their view of Mt. Spokane. Together, they made thousands of jars of jams in various flavors. They created lasting memories by gifting their jam to friends and family. Their last effort in jam-making together was making more than 300 jars for their nephew’s wedding in Iowa in early September.

They went horseback riding, traveled and lived their lives as constant companions on their journey. They volunteered many years at Union Gospel Mission at Christmas time.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Lori Jean Whiton Damron of Chattaroy, Wash.; his sons, Branson of Lamont, Wash. and Jim of Spokane Valley, Wash.; granddaughter, Kila of Spokane Valley, Wash.; sister, Doris Cory of Fair Oaks, Calif.; his father-in-law, Gale (Beverly) Whiton of Perry, Iowa; sister-in-law, Roz (Greg) Weis of Decorah, Iowa; and his nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Ben and his wife Dorothy; a brother-in-law, Eldon Cory; and his mother-in-law, Beverly Ann Hendershott Whiton.

The family will direct memorial gifts to the following: Hospice of Spokane, CCNW (Cancer Care Northwest), Union Gospel Mission and Shriner’s Hospital.

A celebration of life is planned for December 4th, 2016 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at The Lincoln Center located at 1316 N Lincoln Street, Spokane, WA.

Blessed be his memory.