James Loren Duston was born April 29, 1947, in Seattle, Washington, to his parents Ben and Lorraine Dick, and elder sister Barbara. His father was a finance officer in the Army, and was stationed in various places, so James’ family moved around quite a bit – Washington state, Georgia, Indiana, several years in Germany and finally settling in Portland. While in Germany James became critically ill, and was severely ill for many weeks. Thanks, however, to the good care at the regional military hospital, he survived to thrive. He became determined to be as mobile and active as possible, and, as he said “to be an average kid.” He not only succeeded but exceeded the predictions for him. He went on to race bicycles as a teenager, rebuild cars with his friends and his grandfather, and to proudly graduate from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, where he majored in aviation. He credited the teachers and focused curriculum at Benson for providing a good learning environment and the marketable skills he was able to use in his career.
After graduating from Benson he took coursework at Lane Community College in Eugene, so he could sit for his qualifying A&P certifications, in aviation mechanics. He completed the coursework, sat for the exams, and generously passed to qualify for his licenses. He was always working, intent on putting money by, as well as saving for his next dream – a car, gear for his racing bikes, a house, or trips with friends.
Not long after he turned 21, he was hired by Flightcraft, a general aviation company. He worked for the company for over 40 years, in Portland and in Seattle. He had many adventures in his work – travel to the Middle East, many trips to Alaska and around Canada, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. He made many friends in the aviation world, and his engineering mind and patient training methods were well-known.
James had a great love for cars, particularly classic cars. He attended and participated in many races, and was a long-time member of SCCA and the Columbia Gorge MG Club.
In 1973, James married Louise Garlick, and they lived for a time in the Portland area. After a few years James was transferred to the new Flightcraft facility in Seattle. James and Louise lived and worked in the Seattle area, where James’ sister’s family and his mother also lived, for 15 years. When Flightcraft made known their intent to close their operations in Seattle in 1993, James was immediately offered a job back at the home base in Portland, which he accepted, as he viewed Portland as his hometown. Sadly, not long after the move to Portland, Louise died suddenly of a neurological condition.
Not long after Louise passed away, James had a conversation with his mother about their family history. She told him of their famous ancestor, Hannah Duston (FAG Memorial #4667). James had thought about changing his name earlier; the chat with his mother gave him the idea to put together another piece of his middle-aged life – and he changed his surname to Duston, with her blessing.
In 1996 James met Anne Seaman, through friends. They enjoyed many shared interests, including car shows and racing, old-time and symphonic music, travel to the coast, visiting relatives, and simply gathering with friends. In December 2001, shortly before Christmas, they married at Dan & Louis’ Oyster Bar in downtown Portland, celebrating with family, friends, good food and wine, and of course some old-time music.
James and Anne continued to make Portland their home, along with their cherished canine companions, Scotties Natalie, MacTavish, Mikey, Frances and Sydney. After busy work days they often enjoyed quiet evenings at home, watching all manner of interesting things on Oregon Public TV. One evening there was a feature on a local group, the Portland Megaband, on the local art program. James listened for a bit, then said to Anne, “hey, I think that’s your group!” After the show she followed the link to join the group, and their grand association with the Megaband began. Each year for over 10 years James volunteered in several capacities – security, loading and unloading equipment, general go-fer, and sound system assistant, while Anne did her bit to help hold up the fiddle section. James and Anne also enjoyed vintage car shows and races, trips to the Oregon Coast with their dogs, family history research and stories, and they have also shared a mania for roller derby and for the Portland icon Powells City of Books.
James’ parents, his wife Louise, her mother Tina Garlick, his beloved aunt Ruth Simpson, his father-in-law David Seaman, and Anne & James’ small herd of Scottish Terriers precede him in death. Survivors include his wife Anne, their spunky terrier Ellie, James’ sister Barbara, brother-in-law Van and nieces Amy Clem (husband Jon) and Lora Boss (husband Adam) in Montana and Seattle, his cousin Phil Simpson and his wife Marietta in Beaverton, his cousin Paul and family in California, his cousin Judy Russell in coastal Oregon, his mother-in-law Marrelyce Seaman, and his numerous friends from the aviation, cycling, car racing and old-time and contradance worlds.
On November 5, 2016, a "whoopass" celebration party in honor of James’ life, with food, music and good ale, was held.
Donations in James’ memory may be given to any of the following non-profit organizations: SnowCap Charities (http://www.snowcap.org/) or the Oregon Humane Society (http://www.oregonhumane.org/)
Cause of death: traffic collision
After graduating from Benson he took coursework at Lane Community College in Eugene, so he could sit for his qualifying A&P certifications, in aviation mechanics. He completed the coursework, sat for the exams, and generously passed to qualify for his licenses. He was always working, intent on putting money by, as well as saving for his next dream – a car, gear for his racing bikes, a house, or trips with friends.
Not long after he turned 21, he was hired by Flightcraft, a general aviation company. He worked for the company for over 40 years, in Portland and in Seattle. He had many adventures in his work – travel to the Middle East, many trips to Alaska and around Canada, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. He made many friends in the aviation world, and his engineering mind and patient training methods were well-known.
James had a great love for cars, particularly classic cars. He attended and participated in many races, and was a long-time member of SCCA and the Columbia Gorge MG Club.
In 1973, James married Louise Garlick, and they lived for a time in the Portland area. After a few years James was transferred to the new Flightcraft facility in Seattle. James and Louise lived and worked in the Seattle area, where James’ sister’s family and his mother also lived, for 15 years. When Flightcraft made known their intent to close their operations in Seattle in 1993, James was immediately offered a job back at the home base in Portland, which he accepted, as he viewed Portland as his hometown. Sadly, not long after the move to Portland, Louise died suddenly of a neurological condition.
Not long after Louise passed away, James had a conversation with his mother about their family history. She told him of their famous ancestor, Hannah Duston (FAG Memorial #4667). James had thought about changing his name earlier; the chat with his mother gave him the idea to put together another piece of his middle-aged life – and he changed his surname to Duston, with her blessing.
In 1996 James met Anne Seaman, through friends. They enjoyed many shared interests, including car shows and racing, old-time and symphonic music, travel to the coast, visiting relatives, and simply gathering with friends. In December 2001, shortly before Christmas, they married at Dan & Louis’ Oyster Bar in downtown Portland, celebrating with family, friends, good food and wine, and of course some old-time music.
James and Anne continued to make Portland their home, along with their cherished canine companions, Scotties Natalie, MacTavish, Mikey, Frances and Sydney. After busy work days they often enjoyed quiet evenings at home, watching all manner of interesting things on Oregon Public TV. One evening there was a feature on a local group, the Portland Megaband, on the local art program. James listened for a bit, then said to Anne, “hey, I think that’s your group!” After the show she followed the link to join the group, and their grand association with the Megaband began. Each year for over 10 years James volunteered in several capacities – security, loading and unloading equipment, general go-fer, and sound system assistant, while Anne did her bit to help hold up the fiddle section. James and Anne also enjoyed vintage car shows and races, trips to the Oregon Coast with their dogs, family history research and stories, and they have also shared a mania for roller derby and for the Portland icon Powells City of Books.
James’ parents, his wife Louise, her mother Tina Garlick, his beloved aunt Ruth Simpson, his father-in-law David Seaman, and Anne & James’ small herd of Scottish Terriers precede him in death. Survivors include his wife Anne, their spunky terrier Ellie, James’ sister Barbara, brother-in-law Van and nieces Amy Clem (husband Jon) and Lora Boss (husband Adam) in Montana and Seattle, his cousin Phil Simpson and his wife Marietta in Beaverton, his cousin Paul and family in California, his cousin Judy Russell in coastal Oregon, his mother-in-law Marrelyce Seaman, and his numerous friends from the aviation, cycling, car racing and old-time and contradance worlds.
On November 5, 2016, a "whoopass" celebration party in honor of James’ life, with food, music and good ale, was held.
Donations in James’ memory may be given to any of the following non-profit organizations: SnowCap Charities (http://www.snowcap.org/) or the Oregon Humane Society (http://www.oregonhumane.org/)
Cause of death: traffic collision
James Loren Duston was born April 29, 1947, in Seattle, Washington, to his parents Ben and Lorraine Dick, and elder sister Barbara. His father was a finance officer in the Army, and was stationed in various places, so James’ family moved around quite a bit – Washington state, Georgia, Indiana, several years in Germany and finally settling in Portland. While in Germany James became critically ill, and was severely ill for many weeks. Thanks, however, to the good care at the regional military hospital, he survived to thrive. He became determined to be as mobile and active as possible, and, as he said “to be an average kid.” He not only succeeded but exceeded the predictions for him. He went on to race bicycles as a teenager, rebuild cars with his friends and his grandfather, and to proudly graduate from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, where he majored in aviation. He credited the teachers and focused curriculum at Benson for providing a good learning environment and the marketable skills he was able to use in his career.
After graduating from Benson he took coursework at Lane Community College in Eugene, so he could sit for his qualifying A&P certifications, in aviation mechanics. He completed the coursework, sat for the exams, and generously passed to qualify for his licenses. He was always working, intent on putting money by, as well as saving for his next dream – a car, gear for his racing bikes, a house, or trips with friends.
Not long after he turned 21, he was hired by Flightcraft, a general aviation company. He worked for the company for over 40 years, in Portland and in Seattle. He had many adventures in his work – travel to the Middle East, many trips to Alaska and around Canada, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. He made many friends in the aviation world, and his engineering mind and patient training methods were well-known.
James had a great love for cars, particularly classic cars. He attended and participated in many races, and was a long-time member of SCCA and the Columbia Gorge MG Club.
In 1973, James married Louise Garlick, and they lived for a time in the Portland area. After a few years James was transferred to the new Flightcraft facility in Seattle. James and Louise lived and worked in the Seattle area, where James’ sister’s family and his mother also lived, for 15 years. When Flightcraft made known their intent to close their operations in Seattle in 1993, James was immediately offered a job back at the home base in Portland, which he accepted, as he viewed Portland as his hometown. Sadly, not long after the move to Portland, Louise died suddenly of a neurological condition.
Not long after Louise passed away, James had a conversation with his mother about their family history. She told him of their famous ancestor, Hannah Duston (FAG Memorial #4667). James had thought about changing his name earlier; the chat with his mother gave him the idea to put together another piece of his middle-aged life – and he changed his surname to Duston, with her blessing.
In 1996 James met Anne Seaman, through friends. They enjoyed many shared interests, including car shows and racing, old-time and symphonic music, travel to the coast, visiting relatives, and simply gathering with friends. In December 2001, shortly before Christmas, they married at Dan & Louis’ Oyster Bar in downtown Portland, celebrating with family, friends, good food and wine, and of course some old-time music.
James and Anne continued to make Portland their home, along with their cherished canine companions, Scotties Natalie, MacTavish, Mikey, Frances and Sydney. After busy work days they often enjoyed quiet evenings at home, watching all manner of interesting things on Oregon Public TV. One evening there was a feature on a local group, the Portland Megaband, on the local art program. James listened for a bit, then said to Anne, “hey, I think that’s your group!” After the show she followed the link to join the group, and their grand association with the Megaband began. Each year for over 10 years James volunteered in several capacities – security, loading and unloading equipment, general go-fer, and sound system assistant, while Anne did her bit to help hold up the fiddle section. James and Anne also enjoyed vintage car shows and races, trips to the Oregon Coast with their dogs, family history research and stories, and they have also shared a mania for roller derby and for the Portland icon Powells City of Books.
James’ parents, his wife Louise, her mother Tina Garlick, his beloved aunt Ruth Simpson, his father-in-law David Seaman, and Anne & James’ small herd of Scottish Terriers precede him in death. Survivors include his wife Anne, their spunky terrier Ellie, James’ sister Barbara, brother-in-law Van and nieces Amy Clem (husband Jon) and Lora Boss (husband Adam) in Montana and Seattle, his cousin Phil Simpson and his wife Marietta in Beaverton, his cousin Paul and family in California, his cousin Judy Russell in coastal Oregon, his mother-in-law Marrelyce Seaman, and his numerous friends from the aviation, cycling, car racing and old-time and contradance worlds.
On November 5, 2016, a "whoopass" celebration party in honor of James’ life, with food, music and good ale, was held.
Donations in James’ memory may be given to any of the following non-profit organizations: SnowCap Charities (http://www.snowcap.org/) or the Oregon Humane Society (http://www.oregonhumane.org/)
Cause of death: traffic collision
After graduating from Benson he took coursework at Lane Community College in Eugene, so he could sit for his qualifying A&P certifications, in aviation mechanics. He completed the coursework, sat for the exams, and generously passed to qualify for his licenses. He was always working, intent on putting money by, as well as saving for his next dream – a car, gear for his racing bikes, a house, or trips with friends.
Not long after he turned 21, he was hired by Flightcraft, a general aviation company. He worked for the company for over 40 years, in Portland and in Seattle. He had many adventures in his work – travel to the Middle East, many trips to Alaska and around Canada, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. He made many friends in the aviation world, and his engineering mind and patient training methods were well-known.
James had a great love for cars, particularly classic cars. He attended and participated in many races, and was a long-time member of SCCA and the Columbia Gorge MG Club.
In 1973, James married Louise Garlick, and they lived for a time in the Portland area. After a few years James was transferred to the new Flightcraft facility in Seattle. James and Louise lived and worked in the Seattle area, where James’ sister’s family and his mother also lived, for 15 years. When Flightcraft made known their intent to close their operations in Seattle in 1993, James was immediately offered a job back at the home base in Portland, which he accepted, as he viewed Portland as his hometown. Sadly, not long after the move to Portland, Louise died suddenly of a neurological condition.
Not long after Louise passed away, James had a conversation with his mother about their family history. She told him of their famous ancestor, Hannah Duston (FAG Memorial #4667). James had thought about changing his name earlier; the chat with his mother gave him the idea to put together another piece of his middle-aged life – and he changed his surname to Duston, with her blessing.
In 1996 James met Anne Seaman, through friends. They enjoyed many shared interests, including car shows and racing, old-time and symphonic music, travel to the coast, visiting relatives, and simply gathering with friends. In December 2001, shortly before Christmas, they married at Dan & Louis’ Oyster Bar in downtown Portland, celebrating with family, friends, good food and wine, and of course some old-time music.
James and Anne continued to make Portland their home, along with their cherished canine companions, Scotties Natalie, MacTavish, Mikey, Frances and Sydney. After busy work days they often enjoyed quiet evenings at home, watching all manner of interesting things on Oregon Public TV. One evening there was a feature on a local group, the Portland Megaband, on the local art program. James listened for a bit, then said to Anne, “hey, I think that’s your group!” After the show she followed the link to join the group, and their grand association with the Megaband began. Each year for over 10 years James volunteered in several capacities – security, loading and unloading equipment, general go-fer, and sound system assistant, while Anne did her bit to help hold up the fiddle section. James and Anne also enjoyed vintage car shows and races, trips to the Oregon Coast with their dogs, family history research and stories, and they have also shared a mania for roller derby and for the Portland icon Powells City of Books.
James’ parents, his wife Louise, her mother Tina Garlick, his beloved aunt Ruth Simpson, his father-in-law David Seaman, and Anne & James’ small herd of Scottish Terriers precede him in death. Survivors include his wife Anne, their spunky terrier Ellie, James’ sister Barbara, brother-in-law Van and nieces Amy Clem (husband Jon) and Lora Boss (husband Adam) in Montana and Seattle, his cousin Phil Simpson and his wife Marietta in Beaverton, his cousin Paul and family in California, his cousin Judy Russell in coastal Oregon, his mother-in-law Marrelyce Seaman, and his numerous friends from the aviation, cycling, car racing and old-time and contradance worlds.
On November 5, 2016, a "whoopass" celebration party in honor of James’ life, with food, music and good ale, was held.
Donations in James’ memory may be given to any of the following non-profit organizations: SnowCap Charities (http://www.snowcap.org/) or the Oregon Humane Society (http://www.oregonhumane.org/)
Cause of death: traffic collision
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
