James Lane Darneille

James (Jim) Darneille quietly pass away Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg following a short illness, at the age of 89. His family was by his side.

Jim was born in Grants Pass, Oregon on October 5, 1925 to Lester Lane and Sarah Louise (Inman) Darneille. He was active in Boy Scouts, FFA, and baseball, graduating from Grants Pass High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1943 and was discharged in 1945.

Returning to Grants Pass, he married Beverly Louise Shanks in November 1946. A son, Ronald Lane, was born in November 1947. The family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1950, and a daughter, Lanette Adell, was born in May 1952. They returned to Grants Pass in 1953.

Moving to Myrtle Creek, Oregon in 1955, Jim began a career with the Golden Rule department store that would last almost 30 years. He was the assistant manager in Myrtle Creek and moved to Sutherlin, Oregon to be manager of that store in 1962. He became owner of his store in 1973 and closed it in 1983. Jim worked again in sales until his retirement in 1986.

Jim was very community oriented, serving on many committees, holding many offices, and supporting many youth organizations. He was an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America at local and district levels for more than 20 years. He was a member of the Sutherlin Lions club and past President for more than 60 years. He served as Sutherlin Chamber of Commerce President for two years, as chairman of the Myrtle Creek Fall Festival, and as chairman of the Sutherlin Timber Days. He was a member of the American Legion, Sutherlin Post 21 for more than 20 years.

Community improvements were very important to Jim. He served on the steering committee and board of directors for the Sutherlin Knolls Golf Course, now known as Umpqua Golf Resort, and was a board member establishing the Community Cancer Center in Roseburg. He was awarded as Sutherlin's First Citizen in 1968 and received the 25 year award in 1999.

Jim joined the Masonic Lodge in Oakland #16 in 1965. He served twice as Worshipful Master, three years as District Deputy for the Grand Master of Oregon, and received the Hiram Award in 2006. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, York Rite, the Royal Order of Scotland, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth, Hillah Temple, and the Douglas County Shrine Club.

He dedicated many years working with Job's Daughters, Oakland Bethel #42 and served four years in offices at the state level culminating in Associated Grand Guardian Job's Daughters of Oregon. Over his years of service he received numerous honors including the Masonic Youth Award and the Rose Service Award for Oregon. He remained active until poor health forced him to step aside.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Sarah, his wife Beverly, brother Ray Darneille, and sister Vera Carl. He is survived by sister Marie Leonard, brother Bill Darneille, son Ron Darneille, daughter Lanette Denney, grandsons Jason Washburn, Robin Washburn, Joe Darneille, Cody Thomas, Colton Thomas, granddaughter Chelsie Shevchenko, great-grandson Robin Washburn, great-granddaughters Cheyenne Washburn, Lydia Washburn, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A fourth generation Oregonian, Jim was proud of his pioneer heritage. From early youth he enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and all time spent in the outdoors.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Sutherlin Chapel of the Roses. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Hillcrest Cemetery in Grants Pass.

The family suggests that any donations in Jim's memory be sent to Community Cancer Center in Roseburg, the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Portland or the Lion's vision gift program.