Roberta Jean "Betty" James

1930 - 2013

Roberta Jean 'Betty' James died January 18, 2013 of age related causes at the age of 82. She was born in Warm Springs, OR to Walter Eagle & Ruth Nelson Eagle, on August 16, 1930.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, January 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Inn at the 5th, Eugene, OR.

Betty received her Bachelor's degree at the University of Oregon in business and in Journalism in 1968. She received her Master's degree in Business Education in 1970.

She married Franklin Reed James in Colorado.

She worked her first job in 1949 & was at Sig Atkinson's Telegram where she worked as a reporter and a photographer. She also reported for the Casper, WY Tribune Herald. She moved to Laramie, WY and worked for the Laramie Bulletin, where in 1951, she became the first woman Managing Editor of a Wyoming Newspaper. She worked for a year as a UP Reporter. In 1955 she moved to Eugene and started in the proof room of The Register-Guard and then as a linotype operator. She moved to South Eugene High School where she worked as a Teacher's Aide in the typing program while attending the U of O. On completion of her degree she taught at LCC, when it first opened in it's new campus. She taught business courses, was Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Instruction and interim head of the business department. She was instrumental in the opening of the Downtown Center for LCC and was director of the business department there until her retirement. At that point she was elected to the board of directors of SELCO Credit Union, where she held an active roll until the time of her death. She was dedicated to SELCO and the family of co-workers with whom she spent so much time. During her career she was awarded Vocational Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Teacher of the Year, National Teaching Excellence Award, Oregon Management and Business Educator's Distinguished Service award and the 2003 Credit Union Advocate of the Year award. She was an avid Duck Fan.

She is survived by her daughter, Victoria Ruth James of Eugene, OR. and preceded in death by her husband.

Please send Memorial Contributions to the wonderful staff of Hospice.

Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary.

Please sign the guest book at www.registerguard.com/legacy