Jim passed away doing one of the things he loved best – goin’ fishing. A
loving, gentle yet strong husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, and lover of the natural world; he will be missed by his many family and friends.
Jim was born September 30, 1937 in Forest Grove, Oregon to James and
Mary Harleman. He grew up in the small town of Cornelius, Ore. enjoying a childhood of rural freedom and adventures with his three younger siblings; Judy, Jerry, and John.
Jim was a life-long learner and educator. He received his BS degree from Portland State College in 1961 and an MS in Secondary Education from Southern Oregon State College in 1984.
As a young adult living in Lakeview, Ore. Jim developed his skills as an outdoorsman including hunting, birding, and fly fishing; avid pursuits that have enriched his life while as a result, developing and enjoying many lasting friendships. Jim also had an enduring love of sports of all kinds, especially amateur and high school-level sporting events.
Jim met the love of his life, Kathy McNeill, in Denver, Colorado. After a long-distance courtship, due to Jim having returned home to Oregon, they were finally together again in Oregon. They were married in Ashland in 1978. Jim and Kathy had two children; Aaron, born in 1982 and Kristie, adopted in 1984.
After a varied career in business, at the age of 40 Jim made a major career shift, beginning a 25 year long teaching career in Social Sciences, first at
Scenic Middle School, and later at Crater High School in Central Point. The culminating highlight of his teaching experience was to pioneer with others
the Renaissance Academy, a school-within-a-school at Crater High School.
Jim was a man devoted to his family, friends, and community. He relished
his role as a father to Kristie and Aaron, and as a grandfather to his four grandchildren; Calvin (CJ), Troy, Lauren, and Eli. As a community volunteer, Jim was actively involved on the Central Point Parks and Recreation Committee, Rogue Valley Audubon Society, Rogue Flyfishers, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). In 2016, he was selected as CASA Volunteer of the Year for his work with youth in the foster care system.
Jim was deeply involved in his community believing that we must look 
beyond our own self interests and consider also the needs of the larger community, our country, and the world.
He will be missed and remembered with love by his many family and friends. A Celebration of Life event will be held in Jim’s honor beginning at 1:00 p.m Sunday, June 11, 2017. The site of the event will be at the “Holy Water” at the picnic pavilions above the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery and below Lost Creek Reservoir dam. All are invited to bring a potluck dish and fond memories of Jim to share.
Memorial donations may be made to CASA, Rogue Valley Audubon Society, 
or Rogue Flyfishers.
As Jim often said: “Remember: We all live downstream.”