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James “Jim” Halsor, 59, of Salem, unexpectedly passed away from acute heart disease on June 17, 2021. He was well known for being a gentle man with a great sense of humor and for being a loving father of his two children.
Born in Salem, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Duane and Mary Jacqueline Halsor, and his sister, Julie Lynn Halsor.
Surviving Jim are his son Jacob and daughter Sadie of Salem, brother Mark Halsor and his family of North Hampton, New Hampshire, and brother Sid Halsor and his family of Dallas, Pennsylvania.
Jim was a graduate of North Salem High School, class of 1979. He enlisted in the USAF Reserves in 1986 and became a C-130 Loadmaster for the 337 Tactical Airlift Squadron at Westover AFB, located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Jim later moved to the 939th Rescue Wing (939 RQW) as a rescue specialist on Air Force HC-130P aircraft, stationed at Portland Airport. After a brief posting with an Air Force Reserve civil engineering squadron, Jim retired as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of decorated service including deployments to Iraq and to Kosovo.
In civilian life, Jim worked as a structural concrete specialist. His skills were used in the construction of major buildings and installations, including sports facilities, water treatment plants, and bridges. Jim also was an accomplished carpenter and he used those skills on many residential projects in Salem and in surrounding areas. He enjoyed following his favorite sports teams, strength training, and watching professional wrestling. Jim cherished his pet dogs and his dogs cherished him.
A memorial service will be held in Salem, Oregon on October 17, 2021. For more information visit the Johnson Funeral Home web site: www.JohnsonCelebrations.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial donation be made to the Willamette Humane Society (https://whs4pets.org)
Memorial Service is TBD
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or Call Laura Hildebrandt 503-910-2571
Jim worked for me for a year, right after he started his Chief Nail Banger handyman business. I was pleased with his accomplishments & referred him to several others. As a result of my referrals, Jim & his friend Bill Crutchfield built a lovely sun room, deck, fence, garden boxes & trellises , Jim took pride in his work. If you asked Jim for help, he did so to the best of his abilities.
Our family got to know Jim when we hired him to work in projects for us. He always showed up on time, worked a 6 hours day, then shared lively stories of his experience. Jim had a good sense of humor. We miss him already.
Jim was a hard worker. When he showed up to work, he out all his efforts into it. I was proud to know him & work alongside him. Jim was a roughcut gem like one of those dinosaur eggs: all craggy on the surface, but a colorful agate on the inside.
Jim was a skilled carpenter & interesting conversationalist. For a husky construction guy, he was more politically liberal than his peers. Jim was a deep thinker who was passionately democratic in his speaking. Jim had a heart for those who suffered in life. He thought society should treat people better.