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Jim Heitkemper was born in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 22, 1942, a fourth-generation Southeast Portlander. With Jim’s health deteriorating, his goal was to make his 84th birthday. He died peacefully on Oct. 24, 2026, two days after his birthday.
Jim attended St. Ignatius Grade School, Central Catholic High School, the University of Portland, and graduated from Portland State University with a BS in education. He started his teaching career in The Dalles, Oregon, in 1965, enrolled in The Dalles National Guard in 1966, and continued his teaching career in Portland. He taught fourth grade at Richmond Elementary School for the last 18 years of his career, which ended in 1994.
Jim married Mary Frances Davolt in 1969. They welcomed John, born in 1973, and Ann, born in 1976. Following Mary Frances’ untimely death due to cancer in 1984, Jim married Kathy Dewitz in 1988.
Jim’s faith in Christ was paramount. He also loved history, baseball, numbers, bridge, ‘50s/’60s music, and Dad jokes. He especially liked to share these with anyone willing to listen (family, friends, doctors, nurses, almost strangers).
Jim is survived by his wife Kathy; son, John Heitkemper (Jo) and granddaughters, Frances and Annika; daughter Ann Tro (Niva) and grandson Michael (Aarushi), granddaughter Ali (Cat) and great-grandson Jaxson, grandsons Kyle and Kaden; stepdaughter Lisa Taulbee (Greg) and grandson JT. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Alice, and his brother Bill.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to Old St. Peter’s Landmark Preservation, PO Box 882, The Dalles, OR 97058; Meals on Wheels, 1112 W Ninth St., The Dalles; or Life in Christ Center: Missions Fund, 3095 Cherry Heights Road, The Dalles.
Columbia Gorge News, Nov. 11, 2026
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