Thomas Edward "Tim" Fien

Thomas Edward ‘Tim’ Fien, age 76, of Grants Pass, passed away Thursday, October 17th, 2013, after his yearlong battle with complications from a stroke.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 16rd as an open house style gathering from 9 am-12pm at the Taprock Evergreen room. The Evergreen room is located at 971 SE 6th St. Grants Pass, Oregon 97526. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Tim was born July 6th, 1937 in Montebello, California. In 1942 he moved to North Hollywood with his mother Sally and father Tom and lived in the family home until he moved out after graduating from North Hollywood High school in 1955. He then went on to Pierce College and earned a degree in agriculture in 1957.

On January 4th, 1957 he married Javerne ‘Jo’ Maxhimer who survives. They lived in California where he worked for Pacific Northwest Bell as a PBX installer and transferred to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1966 and continued his work as a PBX installer. In 1968 they moved to Rogue River where he purchased 40 acres to raise his family building it from the ground up where they raised sheep, horses, chickens, and rabbits so the family could be involved in 4-H and experience life on a farm. They moved back to Grants Pass in 1981 to be closer to family where his wife still resides.

Throughout his life Tim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the activities that southern Oregon had to offer. He enjoyed hiking, gardening, snow skiing, waterskiing and landscaping not just his own yard, but anyone that needed his help or advice to make their property truly shine. There was always the “mediocre way” and the “papa way” of doing things and if you wanted the best you would pick Papa’s way every time. He was always there to offer a helping hand or even an ear for listening and giving advice. He knew every answer to every question or problem and was someone that everyone came to seek his opinion. He loved reading and learning about everything the world had to offer which is why you didn’t need the internet, you would simply call Papa. He was honorable, kind, trustworthy and patient. He loved life and everything that it had to offer. He especially loved spending time with his loved ones and enjoying every moment he could with his family. He also enjoyed traveling, especially his annual trips to Maui, Hawaii.

He was a husband, a father, Papa , and friend to so many in this community. He touched so many lives in so many different ways and will never be forgotten. In addition to his wife, survivors include one daughter , Melodie Jantzer and her husband Steve of Grants Pass; two sons, Bill Fien and his wife Suzanne of Grants Pass, and Ron Fien and his wife Kimberly of Grants Pass; 6 grandchildren; Brandie Henderson, Tawnya Soltis, Curtis Brooks, Tyler Brooks, Richelle Ainsworth, and Alisha Fien and 4 great-grandchildren Jaxon, Colton, Aiden, Lacey, and one more on the way.