Obituary of James Korth

James KorthA memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at First Christian Church in Eugene for James “Jim” Korth of Eugene, who died June 17 of complications of diabetes. He was 71.He was born Sept. 4, 1938, in Ashland to Donald and Mildred Martin Korth. He married Linda McKay on Dec. 20, 1963, in Eugene.He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1964 and held a law degree from Willamette University. He served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1962 to 1968. He worked as an attorney from 1967 to 2009 and managed North Douglas Wood Products.Survivors include his wife; a son, Steve of Eugene; two daughters, Kim Williams of Eugene and Kelly Thakkar of Oakville, Ontario; his mother; a brother, Don of Medford; and 10 grandchildren.Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. Remembrances to Willamette Family Treatment Services or First Christian Church.Jim was born Sept. 4, 1938, in Ashland to Donald and Mildred Korth. His family moved around a bit but Southern Oregon was his home. It was there that he and his younger brother Don learned to fish and hunt. These hobbies would become lifelong passions for Jim. He was also an accomplished athlete, excelling in basketball and football and later threw the javelin for Stanford. Jim always excelled academically and had an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He was known to read encyclopedias for fun! So it was no surprise when he was accepted and later graduated with a bachelors degree from Stanford University (1964). It was during his college years that he met and married Linda McKay (Dec. 20th, 1963) and the two remained married for the rest of his life. Jim continued his studies at Willamette University and graduated first in his law school class. Soon after, he passed the Oregon State Bar where he was a member for 42 years until he retired from law in January 2009. He served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1962 to 1968. It was during these years that Jim and Linda started a family and moved to the Eugene area. To his friends and loved ones, Jim will be remembered as a true fly fisherman and a University of ?Oregon fan of the highest order. He loved to golf and to travel and had a ridiculous sweet tooth. Jim loved fast cars and two years ago had a dream come true when he visited the Ferrari factory in Italy. And it wasn't just fast cars that he enjoyed. As recently as January, we couldn't hold him back when he insisted he go on California Screamin' (a thrill ride at Disneyland) while on a family trip to LA for the Rose Bowl. Jim was a collector- and some of his eclectic passions were fishing equipment, golf shirts, French wine and music. He has an extensive CD collection and his all time favorite soundtrack is Saturday Night Fever by the Bee Gees. Jim is a husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Linda, his son Steve of Eugene, his daughters Kim Williams of Eugene and Kelly Thakkar of Oakville, Ontario; his mother Millie and his brother Don of Medford; as well as 10 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, at First Christian Church in Eugene. Jim Korth of Eugene died on June 17 of complications resulting from diabetes. He was 71. Arrangements by: Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene. Remembrances to Willamette Family Treatment Services or Eugene First Christian Church.