James Burks Harley

Depoe Bay- James Burks Harley Jr. who was known by Jim was born on October 21, 1926 in Lincoln Nebraska to J. Burks Sr. and Zella (Roope) Harley. He grew up and lived a good portion of his life in Nebraska and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1944. While in Jr. high and high school, Jim would go on many archaeologist digs in western Nebraska.  Many Dinosaur bones and wooly Mammoth remains that he found, remain today in Morrell Hall at the University of Nebraska campus. After high school he would attend the University of California Berkley but would ultimately graduate from the University of Nebraska. While in school Jim completed Navy ROTC and would serve until the war ended. He was also a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. It was during school that he met Carlene Burnett.  The two would be married on June 6, 1948 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and they would soon welcome 2 children, Mary, and Joe. Jim worked most of his life in the pharmaceutical industry. He started out as a sales rep. and then worked his way through managerial positions to V.P. of Marketing.  The family would move around the country based on job offerings, but ultimately they would end up in Lake Oswego, Oregon were Jim would work as a pharmacist until 1995 when they moved to Depoe Bay, Oregon. While in Nebraska James was active in Kiwanis Club and then while in Depoe Bay, he was active in “Little Whale Cove”.  He served in many positions, as a board member, safety committee, election committee, beach clean-up committee and men’s dialogue. He was a voracious reader, especially U.S. history. He was also an avid fan of the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Football. On November 28, 2020 Jim passed away in Corvallis, Oregon.  He was preceded in passing by his loving wife, Carlene; brother Dr. Tom Harley; and parents, J. Burks and Zella Roope Harley.  He is survived by his children, Mary (Lance) Giammanco and Joe (Barron) Harley; grandchildren, Benjamin, and Charles Brazer; great-grandchildren, Soraya and Sage. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jim’s name to The Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Newport, Oregon.