James W. Pruyn passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 31, 2022 at Hartford Hospital. Jim, as he was affectionately called by family and friends was born to Edward and Ruth Pruyn on February 3, 1932 in Nyssa, Oregon. Jim grew up in Nyssa with his folks, his brother Ron and numerous cousins. Jim remembers his early years of being outdoors with family/friends fishing, camping, rock hounding, photography, swimming and school activities. One of Jim’s favorite activities was boating/fishing on the Owyhee Reservoir. His photograph of the Owyhee Honeycombs is one of his prized pictures.
Jim attended Nyssa public schools and graduated from Nyssa High in 1950. Jim worked during the summer to save money for college. He graduated Boise Junior College and attended Oregon State for a year before transferring to Butte Mining and Engineering school. During this transition, he met and married Mary Janice Stills from Kuna, Idaho. After the wedding, Jim transferred back to Oregon State and graduated in 1960 with a Civil Engineering Degree.
Jim was hired by Bechtel Power Company and relocated to San Mateo, California where he caught the daily train with his best friend William Ellis into San Francisco to the office. In 1968, Jim, Janice and their two daughters Lisa and Lindsey moved to Russellville, Arkansas where Bechtel built 2 Power plants. In 1978, Jim and family moved back to California for a year before relocating to Colstrip, Montana where 2 Coal plants were built by Bechtel. In 1981, Jim and family were transferred to Kennewick, Washington where they settled in.
Jim was an involved parent in his daughters’ daily activities and took pride in their accomplishments. Furthermore, Jim would plan family vacations with history and fun in mind taking advantage of where they were located.
In 1984,Bechtel temporarily relocated Jim to Massachusetts/Connecticut. While working in CT for Bechtel, he met and married Lorna Krapf in July of 1990. Jim became an important member of Lorna’s family of 5 adult children and their families including 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Jim and Lorna enjoyed sailing, traveling and spending time with family and friends. A few of his favorite hobbies were painting and woodworking. Jim will be missed by many.
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