Obituary of James Richard Altfilish

JAMES R. ALTFILISH James "Jim" Richard Altfilish died December 17, 2012 at the age of 81 in Vancouver, WA after a short battle with pneumonia. James was born on Monday, July 20th 1931 in Freeport, Illinois to Romaine and Emma Altfilish. In 1949, shortly after graduating from Freeport High School, James enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and was stationed in many different places including Japan, Germany and Ft. Lewis Washington where he met and married his wife, Martha. After retiring from the Army in 1970, James attended Seminary at Philips University in Enid, OK where he received his master's degree in Theology and became an ordained minister. He served as minister at the First Christian Church in Tangier, Pleasant Vale, and Garber Oklahoma before moving his family to Camas, WA, in 1980. There he was the minister of the Camas First Christian Church until he retired in 1995. Jim was also a member of the Mensa organization. Jim was a very loving, companionate and sentimental person. He was very sensitive to the feelings of others and would go out of his way to comfort someone. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sons James Jr and Charles Altfilish. He is survived by his wife Martha of Camas, WA; sister Bette Altfilish of Long Island, NY, sons Edward of Vancouver, David Wendie of Camas and Jason Maria of Coos Bay, OR; daughter Helen Altfilish of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren Lindsay Bret Sturdivan of Woodland, WA, Courtney Altfilish of Pullman WA, Spencer Altfilish of Camas, WA, Zach and Jed Neblock of Coos Bay, OR and several great grandchildren. There will be a viewing and service at Straub's Funeral Home, 325 N.E. 3rd Ave, Camas, WA on December 21st, at 11am. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Friends of the Carpenter P.O. Box 65358 Vancouver, WA 98665.