James Porter ‘Jim’ Hildabrand, 88, of Vancouver, Wash., passed away Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at his home. He was born January 23, 1928 in Logan County, the son of Tim and and Jane Bond Hildabrand. He married Lera Mae Hildabrand, daughter of James and Margaret Welborn Hildabrand, Aug. 10, 1947, in Logan County, and celebrated 66 years of marriage.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mora Shoulders, in 2009, and his wife, Lera Mae, in 2013.
He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and served a total of 21 years, retiring as a lieutenant. During his time in the Navy, Jim was also ordained a Southern Baptist minister and pastored several small missions and churches. After retirement in 1968, Jim went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree and served as Director of Missions in Southern Oregon for a few years and then pastored churches in Grants Pass, Ashland, and McMinnville, Oregon. He continued his ministry by leading Bible study at Brookdale Orchards Village after he and Lera moved there in 2011.
Jim is survived by his three daughters: Joyce Brand and Jane Walker of Vancouver, and Jackie Brown (and Gerald ‘Ed’) of Las Vegas; his granddaughter, Tanya Taylor (and Randy), and grandson Blake Robinson of Vancouver; his granddaughter, Kyrsta Gregg (and Josh), of Nampa, Idaho; his grandson, Christofer Sherby, (and Saabrah) of Portland, Ore., and his grandson, Dustin Sherby (and Jessica) of Hillsboro, Ore.; and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, at Brookdale Orchards Village, 10011 NE 118th Ave., Vancouver, Wash. 98682 with Rev. Bruce Sloan officiating. Burial will be at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. A guestbook will be available to sign at the memorial.