Obituary: Lonn “Jim” Holston

The family moved to the Medford, Oregon, area, where Jim owned different businesses. Jim’s family enjoyed many outdoor adventures like rafting and camping. Jim and Jackie divorced and he returned to school to choose a new career. While at Portland State College, he met and fell in love with Betty Brackenbury Payne. She, too, was restarting her life after divorce. They found a new direction and satisfaction together. They married in 1969. Her children, Stan, Leslie, Caerl, Duane, and Shannon, welcomed him into their lives.

Jim and Betty moved around a bit and settled in Salt Lake City, Utah, for several years. He started a career as a probation officer and she was a social worker. Together with their Labrador Joy, they hiked all over the canyons around Salt Lake and enjoyed time in nature.

In the late 1970s they moved to The Dalles, Oregon. Jim continued his career in probation and parole and Betty worked for the Children’s Services Division. Their dog Joy and then a succession of big and smaller dogs enjoyed life with them along with a couple of parrots who would eventually become “snowbirds” with them when they retired. Betty passed in 2010 and Jim was a devoted caretaker by her side throughout.

Jim had a long-standing interest in eastern religions and became a member of Zen Buddhism through the Dharma Rain Center in Portland, Oregon. He had many friends there who enjoyed his outlook on life — a blend of philosophy, humor, and realism which made him a unique man. He also attended Mountain View Worship Group, Quakers, in The Dalles. He was a beloved member of this group along with Betty for 40 years.

Jim spent many enjoyable hours at The Dalles Senior Center, delivering Meals on Wheels or having lunch with friends.

Blessed again in love, Dad met Donna Meengs of The Dalles and together they took up Jim’s habit of walking with dogs. They had many gatherings of their mixed families. Donna passed in late 2024, much to his sorrow. His health and mobility declined sharply over the next several months. He had lived comfortably at The Springs in The Dalles for four years.

On Sept. 12, 2025, just short of his 95th birthday, he succumbed to recurring illness and passed peacefully with his family by his side. Jim is survived by sons Lon (Janet), and Ray (Sheri); daughter Janice (Steve); son Stan, Duane (Joan); daughters Leslie and Shannon (Stephen); stepchildren Allen (Sue), and Vicki (Mike); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ardith, daughters Caerl and Laurie, wife Betty, daughter-in-law Margaret (Stan), son-in-law Jim (Leslie), and partner Donna.