James Norvan Wells

James Norvan Wells, age 90, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Bethany Presbyterian Church with Pastor Steve Parker officiating. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 748 NW 5th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

James was born October 5, 1918 at his family’s farmhouse in Cave Junction to George & Elsie (Howard) Wells. He was a decedent of several pioneer families that have lived in Josephine County for over 150 years. He was raised at the original Wells Ranch in the Illinois Valley and worked as a farmer with his father. In 1940 he married Margaret Lucinda Sowell, who preceded him in death in 1984. In 1945 he moved to Tulelake where he raised potatoes and sheep. Then in 1955 he moved to Grants Pass and worked for Southern Oregon Milk Producers (later known as Rogue Gold Dairy) on 7th Street. He retired in 1982 from Rogue Gold Dairy on 5th & H Streets. In 1986 he married Jenevie Therese Serpa, who preceded him in death in 2008.

He was a 50-year member of the Grants Pass Masonic Lodge #84 AF a member of the Elks Lodge and a 40+ Dance Club.

While his daughters were active in Girls Scouts, he volunteered his time to take Girls Scouts to Girl Scout activities. While in Tulelake, he served on the local school board.

Survivors include three daughters, Joanne Margaret Gass of Huntington Beach, California; Janice Jeanne Orr of Cathedral City, California; and Judith Kay Christensen of Grants Pass; a stepdaughter, Mary Ellen Leake of Lynnwood, Washington; two stepsons, Raymond Leake of Surprise, Arizona; and Robert Serpa of Eureka, California; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Charles Kenneth Christensen in 2005.