<p>James Walter ‘Jim’ Towers</p>

James Walter Towers, 70, of Hermiston died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Wash. A private celebration of life by the family is pending.

Mr. Towers was born May 12, 1941, in Stockton, Calif., the third child of James and Violet Towers. During the war years the family lived in Burney Falls, Lodi and Brentwood Calif., finally settling in Sherman Island in the Sacramento/San Joaquin rivers delta. He attended grammar schools in Brentwood and Isleton and continued at Trinidad when the family moved to Humboldt County in 1953.

After graduation from Arcata High School he followed his father into the plywood mills, becoming a grader on the dry chain and working the Raymond patcher at Louisiana Pacific.

A knee injury prevented military service, but marriage followed and in 1979 he moved to the Boardman/Hermiston area. There he had a successful career with Lamb Weston in Boardman. He also acquired several rentals in the area, and was able to retire early and devote himself to his lifelong passion, fishing.

Mr. Towers is survived by brothers Guy Towers, Ben Towers and Lee Towers; sister Lillian Hineline; and six nieces and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and nephew Michael Clawson.

Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland, Wash., was in charge of arrangements.