Obituary: James Krier

After the war, the family settled in The Dalles, Oregon, where Malcolm took over the family’s business and cherry orchard. Jimmy grew up in the late 1940s and ‘50s in a small-town community where “everybody knows your name.” He was energetic, enthusiastic, and full of life, excelling in sports like Little League baseball and tennis and enjoying his time as a Boy Scout.

Family lore is full of “Jimisms,” none more famous than the time 5-year-old Jimmy took his 3-year-old sister Patty on an adventure to the local library, then across town to visit their grandparents, losing the library books along the way. While their mother was home bathing newborn Jeff, the entire town essentially helped guide Jimmy on his journey. Even the librarians wished him well. His mother, understandably, had apoplexy.

In high school, he became a serious tennis player and continued to compete during college, earning state-wide accolades. He attended illamette University in Salem, Oregon (1962–66), where he majored in history and political science and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

After graduation, Jim served as a Petty Officer Third Class in the U.S. Navy’s Seabee construction battalion, completing two tours in Vietnam.

Jim met the love of his life, Margey Pfadt, on a blind date in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After traveling the West in a Ford Thunderbird with close friends Jackie and Al Benson, Jim and Margey married in 1973 in Laramie, Wyoming. They remained happily married for 52 years until his passing.

A lifelong “railroader,” Jim began his career with Union Pacific Railroad during college, working as a brakeman and clerk. Over time, he moved into leadership roles, eventually serving as superintendent of the Oregon and California divisions. He later relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, where he helped oversee the construction and optimization of multimillion-dollar railyard projects. In the final chapter of his career, he moved to California as general director of operations support in Roseville, retiring after 45 years of dedicated service.

As part of his executive education, Jim attended the University of Maryland’s leadership development program and later the Senior Executive Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.

Jim’s faith was a quiet but constant strength. He lived out his love for Jesus through kindness, generosity, and service. He found peace in scripture and resilience in prayer. His hope rested in the power of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life. He will be remembered for his deep love of family, his generosity, and his unmistakable phrases, like “I’ll be darn” and “Have a safe and pleasant day,” often heard on his voicemail. His memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Margey; his children, Michael (Marianne) Krier, Heather (Chris) Heeren, and Robert (Stephanie) Krier; his sister Patricia Connolly Krier (Tom); and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Jeffery Cunningham Krier, mother Dorothy Jean Cunningham Krier, and father Malcolm Sampson Krier.

A celebration of life and full military honors ceremony will be held in Roseville, California, to honor his memory and legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to Centerpoint Community Church (515 North Sunrise Ave.) in Roseville, California, or to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.