OBITUARY

Randy Clark James

October 15, 1056 – April 18, 2024

Randy Clark James passed away on April 18, 2024 on his farm in Columbia County, Wash.

Randy was born on October 15, 1956 in Dayton, Wash., to Clark Warren James and Bessie Ann (Colley) James. He attended Dayton schools, graduating with the class of 1975. In high school he participated in football and basketball, choosing not to compete in springs sports because farming came first. He was a 4-H member in grade and middle school, then a FFA member in high school. In FFA he received his Chapter, State and ultimately his American Farmer Degree.

He started his farming career while still in high school with his father. In 1983, at the age of 26, he took over for his dad and started James Farms.

He married his wife, Terri (Mortier) James on February 18, 1978 and together they had three children, Miranda, Ashley, and Drew.

Farming and raising cattle were his passion. He started a herd of purebred red angus cattle in the early 1980s that he has grown over the years, supplying breeding stock to ranchers in the Northwest.

He was active in many organizations over the years including the Columbia County Farm Bureau, Columbia County Grain Growers, Columbia County Cattlemen's Association, Intermountain Canola, Walla Walla Community Council and Blue Mountain Heritage Society.

Randy didn't know a stranger. His kind, light hearted personality garnered him many friends.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Clark James and his brother, Mark James.

Left to cherish Randy's memory are his mother, Bessie Ann (James) Keve; his wife, Terri; daughter Miranda (Josh) Bowen; daughter Ashley (Charlie) Hatfield; son Drew (Shannon) James; sister Laurie (Ron) Malecha; sister-in-law Linda James; sister-in-law Marva Thomas; sister-in-law Cathy Abel; brother-in-law Lupe Benavides. Grandchildren, Stacia, Levi and Willow Bowen, Gentry and Preston Hatfield, Brycen, Allison, and Calvin James; bonus grandchildren, Andrew, Parker, and Landyn Wertz. Numerous nephews and nieces, and the many friends and acquaintances whose lives he touched.

A celebration of life will be held on May 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds pavilion.

Those who wish can make memorial contributions to the Columbia County 4-H Endowment Fund, the Blue Mountain Heritage Society, or a charity of the donor's choice in Randy's name.

Corbeill Funeral Homes of Dayton is taking care of the family. On-line condolences may be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.