Obituary of James Michael Lane

Former Alaskan and long-time Woodland, WA resident, 57 year old James Michael Lane died in the ICU at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital early in the morning of Friday, May 14th. Jim died from complications associated with the COVID-19 virus. Jim was born Oct. 10, 1963 in Anchorage, AK and baptized later that month at St Andrew Catholic Church in Eagle River, AK. He was the sixth of eight siblings and younger of two sons of Rita and Wendell Lane. As a baby, he survived the Great (Alaska) Earthquake of 1964 without a scratch as books from nearby shelves bounced down into his crib. His growing-up years were spent at the family homesite in Chugiak where he spent many hours hunting, fishing, and picking blueberries while exploring the Chugach Range foothills, nearby lakes, and shores of Cook Inlet. Somewhat a daredevil … such as jumping his Datsun truck in Pippel’s field in Eagle River, AK, he had his fair share of shenanigans, many perhaps his schoolteacher parents never learned of. High School wrestler under Coach White, he was a member of the Century Club while attending Chugiak High School. Exceptionally strong for his age and height (5’ 8”), he was known as one of the few students who could “bench the stack”. After graduating in 1981, James joined the U.S. Marines and was selected Armorer for his unit. He was proud to have served his country in Central America, Europe, Asia and mainland U.S. Marine Corp bases. Settling in the northwest, after a variety of construction, plumbing, and heating jobs in the Vancouver area, Jim was employed by Blairco for many years. At the time he contracted COVID-19 in April, he was part of their commercial HVAC team. Jim married Christina Fjeldos in December of 1994, and they raised their daughter Caitlyn in the Woodland-Vancouver area. A person of quiet humor, good taste, mild and steady character, and keen eyesight, Jim was known to be meticulous in almost everything he put his hand to, from forming perfectly round pancakes and cookies, to constructing the back porch at his mother’s house, to executing precision body work on his sister Catharine’s car in an early visit. Throughout adult life, Jim continued to be an avid outdoorsman. After purchasing property, and a home in Woodland, WA, he spent much of his free time maintaining them. Prior to his death Jim was planning to return to Alaska, with a dream of building a cabin and enjoying retirement doing what he loved. A father's caring love and pride in his daughter was readily apparent and he looked forward to spending time with her, and maintaining close family ties while hunting, fishing, and constructing exquisite furniture. In the last couple years he bought a truck and trailer, and began readying his house and property to sell for the move to Alaska. Jim fought valiantly for life in the four weeks after admission to the VA hospital in Portland, and subsequent transfer to OHSU for access to ECMO [extracorporeal membrane oxygen transfer]. Despite immense will, strength and grace, resilience, and the determined effort of superbly skilled medical teams at both hospitals, COVID-19 destroyed his lungs. His organ systems began shutting down. Thanks to modern technology and the empathic care of his medical team, James was not alone in this last illness. He was able to communicate daily via video conference with family members and visit with his daughter in person until death. Among other family members and friends, Jim is survived immediately by daughter Caitlyn Marie (student in School of Education at Western Washington University, Bellingham), siblings: Catharine Nakajima Pharm.D. of West Lafayette, IN, Sister Patricia Thomas FSP, Sister Helen Rita FSP (Daughters of St Paul), Thomas Lane of Westford, VT, Lela Teresa Lane, and Susan M. Lane, both of Chugiak, AK, and maternal uncle, Maurice Champagne of Manchester, NH. James' parents Wendell and Rita Lane, and beloved sister Sylvia Lane preceded his death. -"Love is not a perfect state of caring, but an active noun like 'struggle'." Fred Rogers A funeral Mass will be held Fri., May 28, 2021 at 11 AM at St Wenceslaus RC Church, 51555 SW Old Portland Rd, Scappoose, OR.