James Clair BS ’72

04/08/2020

James Clair BS ’72, April 8, 2020, age 70, after a three-year battle with cancer. A fifth-generation Oregonian, Clair excelled in baseball during his years at Cleveland High School in Portland. He continued to play the sport while a student at Lewis & Clark, earning All-Northwest Conference First-Team honors. The week of Clair’s L&C graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Debra Driver, with whom he would share 48 years of marriage. He and his family lived in Portland until 1982, when they moved to Hood River (Oregon). Clair worked for Columbia River Insurance, retiring as president in 2013. He was also a proud contributor to his community. He served for 35 years on the Hood River Memorial Hospital board of directors; was a member of the Elks Lodge; and was active in the Hood River Rotary, where he served as president for a time. Clair maintained a love of sports throughout his life. He enjoyed tennis with friends and volunteered frequently as a coach for youth sports. Survivors include wife Debra; children Joshua, Brenton, and Danielle; three grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.