Obituary of James Robert Lucia

James (Jim) was born in Portland, OR, the second child of 4 to Ralph and Helen Lucia (Anderson).Attending Columbia Prep for most of his high school education (CPHS closed before his senior year), he graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1956. He enjoyed playing football and began his lifetime interest in cars soon after getting his driver’s license as a teen! As a child, Jim and his family often ventured to Seaside, clamming and enjoying coastal life. Jim served in the US Army from 1956-1958. He was stationed in Fort Lewis, WA as well as having served in Korea. Following Army life, Jim started out as a Building Trades Apprentice Steamfitter in LU 235 in June 1959 then went to work at Northwest Marine Ironworks in 1965 and would work there for several years, most spent as the Pipe Department Supervisor. His steadfast support of unions and the industry led him to start the Metal Trades Apprenticeship Program to become Steamfitters/Pipefitters, and he encouraged many to enter the program to have a trade for life. After leaving Northwest Marine, he worked through the union hall as a Steamfitter for several companies – Fletcher General, TC Mechanical, Hoffman Mechanical, Harder Mechanical, JH Kelly, TCM and Fullman. Prior to retirement, his later years were spent working at Intel. There were hundreds in attendance at his retirement party, in honor of all he accomplished in supporting the industry and the Local 290 Union – at that party he received a standing ovation for all his years of service! The love of Jim’s life was Marlene (Jantzer)! They cherished each other throughout their married life. They married in 1960 at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church in Portland and had 3 children, Katherine, Jeffrey and Christopher. The family lived in Portland, and then moved to Tigard in 1969, attending St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. He served the Parish as an usher, founding member of the St. Anthony Severe Weather Shelter and assisted with various church activities and tasks through the years. He was devoted to his wife, children and faith. When his children grew old enough, he finally had the time to begin restoring his first vintage car - a 1950 Oldsmobile. One of his greatest pleasures was his discovery of a 1963 corvette hiding out in an old barn, which became the first of many corvettes Jim owned, restored and proudly drove with Marlene at his side. He took great pride and joy in restoring and showing his corvettes. He joined the National Corvette Restorer Society (NCRS) in 1981 and went on to earn Top Flight awards 8 times and served as a Level 100 Master Judge. One of his favorite shows was Seinfeld, which he enjoyed watching while eating a popsicle or 2 or 3 (he had a big sweet tooth)! Jim loved dogs and cherished his own as members of the family. His son, Chris, honored him in 2017 with an award from the Clark County Rotary Club in recognition of Jim’s work with the homeless. Jim is predeceased by his parents and brother Joel. He is survived by his wife Marlene of 60 years, daughter Katherine, sons Jeffrey (Beverly) and Christopher (Dianne), a sister Kathy and a brother William, 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren (and another 2 on the way) and numerous nieces and nephews. He also had numerous friends and treasured those friendships throughout his entire life. A private funeral will be held on Tuesday, 11/24/20. With social distancing restrictions in place due to the current health crisis, a Celebration of Life will be held on a future date.