James “Jim” Nelson Holmes

February 17, 1931 – February 26, 2025 – James “Jim” Nelson Holmes, 94, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, passed away peacefully in the night on February 26, 2025 surrounded by family. Jim was born in Winnemucca, Nevada on February 17, 1931 and raised in Gresham, Oregon by his mother Irene and stepfather Will Hallgren. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his brother, Larry; his children, Jimmy and Elizabeth; and his granddaughter, Heather.

Jim attended Oregon State University on a pole vault scholarship and received a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1953. There he met Kathleen in a ballroom dance class and they were married in 1956.

He worked as a teacher and youth coach for 3 years at Menlo Park and Russelville Grade Schools, then became a principal overseas in Japan, Korea, and Germany with the US Army. He represented the 8th Army as a pole vaulter in the 1958 Asian Games and later competed with the Portland Track Club and Masters Track plus competitive dance roller skating into his 70s. He was also an excellent swimmer and diver. 

Jim obtained a Master’s degree in Education from University of Oregon in 1958 and a PhD in Education and Administration from the University of Washington in 1966. He worked for Portland Public Schools in administration, curriculum development and testing until his retirement.

Jim played many instruments: piano, organ, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, ukelele, plus was a gifted story teller and cartoonist. He participated in ballroom dancing his entire life and he and Kathleen performed and taught dance lessons on cruise ships. They were life-long members of the Lake Oswego and Portland Heights Dance Clubs. Ardent travelers, they enjoyed frequent adventures to all continents and corners of the world.

Jim will be remembered as an educator, prolific athlete, and world traveler, but most of all wonderfully kind and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was trustworthy, self-made, humble, intelligent, and a true gentleman.

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring.