James Elmer Hembree Jr

James Elmer Hembree Jr, age 88, of Grants Pass, died Monday, December 31, 2012 at Three Rivers Medical Center.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

James was born June 5, 1924 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to James & Bessie (Dennison) Hembree Sr. He lived in El Monte, California until 1936 when he moved to Grants Pass. He attended Jerome Prairie School and Grants Pass High School where he broke the pole vault record in 1942 and it stayed unbroken until the mid 1960s. In 1942 he joined the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. After returning to Grants Pass, he met Louise “Lee” Adams and they married in 1947 and raised two children. He worked for ONC Trucking. After several moves to California he returned to Grants Pass for good in 1965 and worked remodeling or building homes.

An avid gardener, James also enjoyed hunting, fishing in local lakes, and woodworking. His love of sports included playing in local softball and bowling leagues.

Survivors include a daughter, Mikki Bird of Grants Pass, Oregon; a son, Jim Hembree of Snohomish, Washington; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lee Hembree; his parents; a sister and five brothers.