James "Jim" S Provance

James (Jim) Stephen Provance August 11, 1947 – January 27, 2024 Jim passed away at his home in Seal Rock, Oregon with his family by his side. He was surrounded by many close friends near and far during his short diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. Jim is preceded in death by the recent passing of his wife Shirley Jo (Caligiore) Provance, parents George Luther Provance and Virginia Ella Pittman, sister Linda Gayle (Provance) Moore and grandson Austyn Lee McFadden. He is survived by his daughter Andrea Marie McFadden (Doug), sons James Timothy Provance (Alecia) and Christopher Michael Provance. Grandchildren Kailee Paige, Jaycee Marie and Kynzee JoLynn McFadden, Kelsey May, James Brennan, and Madison Raelyn Provance, and Shaelynn Autumn Provance, and Cathryne, sister Donna Kay Forrest and many nieces and nephews. Jim was born in West Helena, Arkansas and later moved to Hammond, IN where he attended and graduated from Lake Central High School. Jim was an avid wrestler, won several state championships and earned a Division I scholarship to the University of North Dakota. However, Jim decided to enlist in the Army after graduation. He saw active duty in Vietnam during the war where he served as a communication specialist. After returning from the war, Jim was stationed in Leavenworth, KS. He was set up on a blind date at the local A&W drive through by one of his army friends where he would meet the love of his life, Shirley Jo. After six months of dating he proposed on Friday, February 13th, 1970. They married August 8, 1970, in Guernsey, WY at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and honeymooned in the Black Hills of SD. They celebrated 53 years of marriage. After their wedding, Jim and Shirley started their married life in Hammond, IN. Jim attended Purdue University taking classes during the day and working nights as a custodian at Union Carbide. Jim graduated from Purdue University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. He later completed his Master of Education and Administration from Purdue University in 1976. In 1974 Jim and Shirley bought their first house in Schererville, IN where he began teaching fourth grade at Homan Elementary School. Jim and Shirley had their first child, Andrea Marie in 1976, son James Timothy in 1977 and Christopher in 1983. In the summer of 1983, they moved their family across the country to Kemmerer, WY where Jim started his career as an Elementary Administrator. In 1996, they moved to Columbus, NE where he continued as an Elementary Administrator. In 2009, Jim and Shirley retired and moved to Seal Rock, OR on the Oregon coast. Jim was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic church where he volunteered with many projects from building a new house for the priest, maintenance, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim enjoyed volunteering at the local food share several times a week and never hesitated to offer help whenever needed. To him, no one was better than the other no matter what position one held. This held true during his Administration tenure as he valued everyone from the custodial staff, the secretaries, all the way up to the District Office Administration. He valued and trusted his staff, giving many opportunities to advance their careers and having their back when needed. In retirement in his neighborhood, he is known as “The Mayor and The Riding Lawn Mower King” always enjoying keeping his neighborhood, lawn, vehicles and house in tip top shape and enjoying his favorite key lime pie and vanilla ice cream. Jim enjoyed traveling the country with Shirley where they would spend months in their motorhome traveling as far north to the tip of Maine to watching their granddaughter Kailee at college softball games in Tucson, AZ. They would visit friends and relatives along the way to keep in touch. They would often spend camping weekends with their son Tim and his family on the Oregon coast. He loved his grandchildren more than anything. He never missed an opportunity to cheer from the stands or online for all his grandchildren’s events. He traveled to every single graduation, high school, and college as he would never miss an opportunity to be a proud dad or grandfather. After his diagnosis, he chose quality over quantity of life. He was able to travel to Nebraska to spend time with his daughter Andrea and her family, Zoo lights, family photos and a special reunion with all his friends and staff from Columbus, NE for Christmas. He was very much loved and respected by his staff who were able to attend or write a special note. His wish of a white Christmas came true so he could see snow one last time. His last couple weeks were spent with his son Tim, daughter in-law Alecia, his daughter Andrea, and grandchildren, Brennan, Madison and Kailee and great neighbors visiting him every day. His joy was family, friends, volunteering, empowering others and working hard to take care of those around you. Our family would like to thank the many neighbors, friends, and his former staff in Columbus, NE who took the time to visit and provide meals and the Hospice Care staff in Newport, OR for providing excellent, professional, and comforting care in his home. A memorial service for both Jim and Shirley will take place together and will be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to: Waldport Food Share P.O. Box 2231 Waldport, OR 97394 or Samaritan Evergreen Hospice 749 SW 11th Street Newport, OR 97365

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James "Jim" S Provance

August 11, 1947 - January 27, 2024