James Franklin Vines Sr. was born on October 17, 1940 in Waynesboro, VA to Harry Russell Vines and Lula Mae Smith Vines. Early in Jim’s life, his family moved to Newport News, VA. It was Newport News where he completed his elementary and secondary education, graduating in 1959 from Newport News High School where he excelled in track and field as well as playing football.

Upon completion of high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served a tour in Germany. In 1960, while serving his country, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Anne Marshall. In 1961, Jim and Betty expanded their family with the addition of the first of their four sons. Once his military service was completed, he began working for the Newport News Shipyard where his hard work and dedication to create a better life for his family led him into his lifelong career in the nuclear industry.

While working at the shipyard, Jim had the opportunity to travel to Connecticut, Japan, and Idaho (twice) to work on projects. In 1979, he moved his family to Idaho Falls, ID for the second time. When his contract was completed, he decided that a move back to Virginia was not in his family’s best interest, so he took a job with Rockwell International at the Hanford site and moved his remaining family to Richland, WA. He worked at Hanford until his retirement in 1996. Still at young age of 56, Jim decided that he was not finished working and moved to Boise, ID to be closer to his granddaughters and took a job with Micron. In 2004, Jim decided to fully retire and so began his search for a permanent place to retire. This search led him to Allyn, WA and eventually back to Newport News where he and Betty took care of Betty’s ailing mother, Beulah. Upon Beulah’s death, Jim and Betty decided to make the Tri-Cities their permanent home and set up home in Pasco, WA, where they lived until his passing.

Throughout Jim’s life he had always espoused volunteerism or, as he would put it, “the Lord’s work.” This was evident in his involvement on his sons’ lives and within his church. With four active sons, Jim spent many weekends and nights supporting his sons by serving as a coach, referee, umpire, Senior Little League president, mentor and dad. This did not preclude him from also volunteering in Southern Baptist churches where he furthered his mentoring of his sons as well as others. As his sons became men, he expanded his church responsibilities by serving as a deacon, Sunday School Teacher, youth leader, mission volunteer, and in other capacities too numerous to list. In retirement, he joined the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. In this capacity, he was able to provide relief for families experiencing the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters. This journey led him to mudslides in Washington, forest fires in Washington, California, and Colorado, and a hurricane in Texas.

Jim’s fighting spirit became apparent when, in February 2017, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Given a grave diagnosis with a short life expectancy, he undertook a series of chemotherapy sessions that extended his life for almost a full year. He used his remaining time to visit with his family and friends. He would want to thank those that touched his life during this time, as well as allowing him to touch theirs.

Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty; his surviving brother, Earl Vines of Hampton, VA; his four sons: James Jr. (wife, Blenda) of Bradenton, FL, John (wife, Jill) of Boise, ID, Jerome of Henderson, NV, and Jeffrey of West Richland, WA; five grandchildren: Olivia Vines of Boise, ID, Jeffrey Jr. of West Richland, WA; Nicholas Vines of Richland, WA; Abby Price (husband, Brandon) of Boise, ID; and Makayla Vines of Kennewick, WA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews across the U.S.

A private graveside service will be held for family and close friends. There will be a memorial service held at Richland Baptist Church on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 12:00 noon.