James Leroy Satrum

Date of birth  - 1939

Date of death  - August 17, 2026

[Eulogy written by Dale Satrum, son of Jim.]  James Leroy Satrum was born in 1939 in Silverton Oregon to Gilman and Myrtle Satrum, who were both children of immigrants from Norway. This Norwegian heritage remained a strong influence in their family and is even felt to this day generations later. The Satrum family grew during the next few years, and dad became big brother to two sisters, Marilyn and Linda.

Dad and his sisters spent their early years in Wheeler Oregon while their father was involved in logging industry. During his grade school years, the family purchased a farm on Hwy 211 near Molalla Oregon around 1950. This is where dad spent the rest of his school years. He attended Rural Dell grade school and Molalla High School graduating in 1958.

This is also where dad developed his love for farming. To say that man loved dirt is an understatement. How many times while growing up did he want us to smell the dirt where he was going to grow something. Farm life for dad included livestock and agriculture. The Satrum farm had cows, sheep, a horse, turkeys as well as wheat, strawberries, cane berries and grass seed.

Dad didn’t play sports, but he loved cars. He was even part of a hot rod club in high school. We heard stories about his 49 Ford and his 57 Chevy, as well as a few drag races on the local logging roads.

One day one of dad’s sisters brought over a friend from school to the farm. Her name was Judy Cunningham. It didn’t take too long for a romance to begin, and as they say, the rest is history. Jim and Judy were married Feb. 25, 1961.

Their early years were spent farming and growing a family. Dad purchased some acreage as well as leased additional property to farm. He raised cattle, chickens, turkeys, while growing strawberries, wheat, pole beans, and cane berries. Their first son Jeff was born Oct 1, 1962 and their second son Dale, was born Feb. 26, 1965. We still don’t know where Dale’s name came from. The family was made up of Jim – Judy – Jeff – and the dogs name was Joe. Every time I asked my parents about this, I got a blank stare. Some things you just let go.

In 1971, Some very hard times were encountered by our family, and dad had to leave farming and went to work at Willamette Egg Farms. We left the farm on Barlow road and in 1973, moved next door to dad’s parents who still lived on the original property where dad grew up. With a new house and 2 acres of land, a new season for the family began.

Although church and faith in God was always a part of our family, it slowly began to take a more prominent role. We began attending a new church plant in town called Molalla Baptist Church and here the seeds of faith began to make a difference in all of us.

Dad still loved farming and as many of you know, mom had quite the green thumb as well. There wasn’t a thing she couldn’t grow. So together they utilized more out of two acres than anyone could. Lush vegetable gardens, beautiful flowers, especially dahlias, and even a U-pick strawberry field for a number of years. They blessed their family by canning much of the produce and then sharing it with everyone. Even into their 80’s there were still family canning parties with the grandkids helping.

But dad not only loved farming, he also loved music. Our parents gave us the gift of faith, but it was dad who gave Jeff and I the love of music. Growing up, we were always singing. Music is in the Satrum DNA. So dad naturally brought his boys into this world. Many times, in the evenings, we would sing together. Our singing evolved as Dad would play an acoustic guitar and Jeff would play bass and we would all sing in three part harmony.

Jim and his wife Judy (Cunningham) Satrum who was in MHS the class of 1960. 

We didn’t just sing songs. We sang songs of faith. Dad was always finding some new Christian song we would learn together. Dad loved Gospel music. We grew up listening to the Cathedrals, the Gathers, Gospel sings on the radio, and the Imperials. Dad also liked his music loud. As teenagers it wasn’t Jeff and I who would get in trouble with mom for our music. It was dad. He would play his music so loud it would move dishes off mom’s China hutch.

Jeff and I grew up singing. It was in our DNA too, although I have always said, Jeff got a bigger share of that than I did. Growing up, we would often perform at church. I can’t remember a time when Jeff and I haven’t sung together. The music we sang together helped our relationship with Jesus grow. We sang songs of faith. Songs we related to. Songs we felt. God used this passion for music to grow our love for Him. As Jeff and I hit our teen years, we found our own Christian artists we related to. In the 70’s and early 80’s Christian music was rapidly changing, and we lived on that wave of cultural change. This music became our expression of faith like Gospel music was to dad. Through all the musical changes dad never complained about it. He embraced much of the new music right along with his boys.

Dad sang in choirs, he sang with his boys, but he also sang on our worship teams. Dad’s ability to adapt to the ever changing music and worship styles was pretty remarkable. Even when we started Foothills over 28 years ago, dad was part of the worship team. In fact, he continued to be part of our worship team here up until his 80s. Jeff and I have a lifetime of memories of singing with our dad. And someday, we will get to sing with Him again.

At 65, dad retired from Willamette Egg Farms. It was time for him to finally do the things he wanted to do. Some men struggle in retirement. Not dad. He was the happiest guy I have ever met being retired. In fact, his happiness was actually irritating sometimes. I’ve never seen someone so content. He loved life and lived it. He learned to fly radio controlled airplanes. He learned to kayak with a group of other retired men. He had time to pursue woodworking in his shop. Dad made some beautiful things in that shop. He had quite a gift for building.

They also had more time for gardening. Dad could never stop being the farmer. Their garden expanded into growing tomatoes. Most people have a few plants. Dad and mom had 400 tomato plants. It wasn’t enough to take care of their own families tomato needs. They now sold them off the road for a ridiculously low price. We would tell them the price is too cheap, but they would talk about all the people who can’t afford good tomatoes. We would tell them it was too much work, but they loved the interaction with people.

There is one more thing that defines dad’s life and that is family. Dad loved his family. Their home was the family hang out where we all have a lifetime of memories. Being together meant everything to them. They sowed that seed deep into all of us. We are still a tight knit bunch today. Family matters. We still love hanging out, being together, celebrating holidays, making memories, and making these relationships a priority. Our relationships are truly the only eternal things we have. They are the only things we take from this life into eternity. Although our hearts are saddened by dad’s departure, we know there is a reunion waiting for us in heaven someday.

--- Dale Satrum