In Memory

Jim Peters

Jim Peters

Wish I could send this message well after the holidays, but I just learned that Jim Peters passed away. Neal talked to Big Jim a month ago and he seemed determined to beat the Melanoma enemy. Unfortunately, it spread quickly. 

What a great athlete, scholar, Hells Canyon fisherman and perfect gentleman. Without Jim, we don't proudly walk off Witter Field undefeated. Plus, he ends our senior year by bringing home the state discuss crown. Talk about the Best in Class. I'm sure others, Harper and Treb in particular, will share stories too. Everyone is welcome to chime in. 

A celebration of Jim' life is pending. RIP #60. Best to you and your families. 

-- Bruce Burrows 

Possibly Jim was the best French horn player in Piedmont’s history also?! Don’t quote me on that but he stood out in the orchestra as he did on the playing fields. One memory etched in my mind was a day at football practice, I was an offensive guard going to block Jim as a linebacker, he swatted me to the ground like I was a fly. I really appreciated his contributions to Piedmont grads social media memorializing of James Killian when he passed. All the best to those of us thistle eaters who are still truckin' on.

-- Mike Burns ‘66

Jim was so kind, fun, skilled at many things, and most of all so generous. At our 50th reunion, he proposed that he and my husband, Jack, practice shotput techniques on the patio of the Lafeyette (?) hotel meeting site, as he coached Jack on form to help hone his skill in his national Senior Athletics competitions. It was such a pleasure to visit PHS with Jim and Jack then to point out Jim’s photo and commemoration of his state championship in the impressive athletics “hall of fame” so well represented by ’66. We’ve emailed from time to time over the years, and Jack developed his own friendship with Jim in addition to mine that always makes us smile. Jim was always available for technique questions and advice. The guys never managed to coordinate the fishing outing Jim frequently proposed. What an all-round, first rate human being Jim was. Thanks, Mike, for the reminder of Jim’s musical talent, another link that binds us. Hope Jim’s celebration of life will be at a time we can attend to pay our respects.

--Rhoda 

Sorry to hear that jim passed on...i got a chance to know him better at the 50th reunion after our golf game ... sitting around a table at a claremont patio drinking beer shooting the shit , i was struck by what a great guy he is . it was for me one of the best moments of the reunion.

-- Jeff Kitchen 

I was up in Hells Canyon when Jim got the initial melanoma diagnosis during the Covid isolation period. Then, this June, he told me of the metastasis but said “I’m strong as a horse, I’ll beat this”. And he was strong as a horse. On the Hells Canyon trip, we reached the cabin down river and it was 114 degrees as we were hauling gear up to the cabin from the boat. Heavy coolers etc. I was in trouble with the heat. So Jim rigs up a sort of swamp cooler and we both sit in the cool mist. He probably saved my life. 

We did our recruiting visits to Cal and Stanford together. At Stanford, Coach Payton Jordan particularly wanted Jim, and introduced us to Bob Stoecker and Dave Weil, whom he had coached to NCAA discus championship. Jordan took us to Stickneys Palo Alto restaurant. The spareribs were good, so I took the Stanford offer. (Now that’s one wise 17 yr old). I wasn’t aware of it, but Jim’s parents were getting a divorce at the time. One went Cal and the other to Stanford. Jim didn’t want to be in the middle of that so he went to UCLA. He came to regret that due to the coaching experience he had there. Jim wanted the discus training to focus on throwing and technique and they were pushing weight training and steroids. Jim refused to take the steroids and may have lost his scholarship. He told me how valuable was the experience I got and he missed with Payton Jordan who went on to coach the 1968 Olympic team. I miss Jim greatly already. He was a gentle giant. A poet and a songwriter. A great mentor to his Asotin High track team, many of whom he coached to state championships. And a great friend who taught us how to fish. RIP James Clifton Peters

--Dave Harper


Obituary Jan. 14, 2023

James (Jim) Clifton Peters, age 74, of Clarkston Washington, passed away due to malignant melanoma, at home, and surrounded by love on December 20th, 2022. He is dearly missed by his family and friends.
Jim was born on December 22nd, 1947, to Dr. Henry and Carol Peters in Oakland, California. The family moved to nearby Piedmont, CA and Jim became an accomplished athlete at Piedmont High School. He capped his senior year (1966) with an undefeated football team and a California record discus throw (189'9"). After graduating, he went on to study Physiology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) on a track scholarship. Following graduation in 1970 he tried his hand at several jobs in Los Angeles including doing rancidity tests on tuna for 'Chicken of the Sea' and a stint as a 4th grade teacher. Ready to escape LA, he enrolled in Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA for his master's degree in Exercise Physiology. Following graduation, he fished a small boat for salmon in 1974 and 1975 alongside his brother Tom. Tiring of sea sickness, he took a position teaching Anatomy and Physiology at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, OR. It was there he became part owner of his first racquetball club. He went on to build his own athletic club, with the help of his family, in Lewiston, ID. Eventually, he became an assessor for Nez Perce County and pursued real estate and property development. Jim retired in 2010 from the county to spend more time doing the things he loved.
Along the way, Jim married Jan Glasby in 1978 and had twin boys, Jeffrey and James. Divorced in (1984), he eventually married Kathy Burcham and gained two daughters, Tammy and Nickkol, whom he loved dearly. He spent the rest of his life dedicated to Kathy and her family.
Jim was a man of high intellect and simple taste, eye rolling humor, and many talents. He was a classically trained musician but would rather compose and perform funny and poignant songs and poems for his friends and family. He was at ease with numbers and never grew tired of calculating how many seconds his boys had been alive (correcting, of course, for the time needed to calculate). Jim loved the outdoors and was an accomplished archer, hunter, and fisherman. He introduced many to the beauty of Hell's Canyon and could fix nearly all issues with a jet boat. Jim was an athlete of the highest caliber. In addition to achieving at the national level in shot put and discus, he became equally dominant in racquetball. Golf, however, was his nemesis, but he played a lot of it.
In retirement, Jim wanted to be present for his wife and to pursue his inspirations. He built cabins, fished endlessly, and generally enjoyed life. He found renewed purpose in coaching throwing events for the Asotin High School track and field team and was unendingly proud of his athlete's growth and accomplishments, however small or grand.
Jim did not always take the most direct or easiest route through life.
Ultimately, however, he was a rare optimist, in a world in need of hope. We miss you.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lynn, and his brother Christopher. He is survived by his wife Kathy, brother Tom (Barbara), sister Elizabeth, children Jim (Jamie) Peters of Pullman, WA, Jeffrey Peters of La Grande, OR, Tammy (Bob) Payseno of Clarkston, WA, and Nickkol Robinson of Moscow, ID; in addition to ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support through this hard time. A celebration of life will be held this spring with details to be sent out soon. Condolences may be sent to petersj.ohsu@gmail.com or tammy.payseno1@gmail.com and will be shared with the family.

Published by Times-Standard on Jan. 14, 2023.



 
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12/23/22 11:30 AM #1    

Madeleine Becker (Gordon)

I was so shocked and saddened when I heard of Jim's passing.  He always held a very special place in my heart ever since our senior year at PHS.

 

 


12/25/22 07:47 AM #2    

Deborah Zurier (Jarecki)

I was so sorry hear of Jim's passing...he hadn't been posting on FB for awhile.."nice guy" aptly described him...may his memory be a blessing 


12/28/22 07:06 PM #3    

Buzz Wiesenfeld

It is hard to lose Jim. We grew up together in music from elementary school on, and he was truly an accomplished muscian, but a Renaisance man as well - lots of interests. Whatever he chose to do, he did it well, just as everyone has said. Thanks for sharing this sad news.

Buzz


12/29/22 05:49 PM #4    

Susan Colen (Landau)

I was so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I did not know him well in high school but we had a chance to talk at a reunion because his mother had been in the choir at our synagogue (we had a professional choir, not members). She had a gorgeous voice. He was a very sweet guy. May his memory be a blessing.


01/08/23 07:00 PM #5    

Dave Corporandy

I will always remember Jim as being such a humble and approachable guy for so many of us.  He worked hard to master such a diversity of talents, a real renaissance man.  I remember on the track team that a lot of us middle and distance runners had to run 440’s.  The last few 440’s were pretty tough, but most of the times we could count on Jim to cheer us on.  I think a true measure of success is how one makes a positive difference for those around him/her.  Jim made a positive impact on so many of us.  

Bruce, we'll be looking forward to getting the details on the clelebration of Jim's life.

RIP Jim

 


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