James “Jim” Prpich

December 2, 1944 - August 2, 2024

James “Jim” Prpich passed away August 2, 2024 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease and cancer. He was 79 years old.

Son of George and Genevieve Prpich, Jim grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan before enlisting in the Marines. After serving as a language interpreter in Vietnam, Jim left the Marines and returned to U. of Michigan, completing his master’s degree in accounting. After graduating, he relocated to Forest Grove, OR spending the rest of his life in the Pacific NW.

Jim was well known for his long beard and ponytail, as he refused to shave or get a haircut after leaving the military (an oath he kept until his death). Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t a market for motorcycle riding CPAs with long hair/beards in the 1970s, so instead of accounting, he began working for Adair Homes, building spec houses. Thus began his lifelong passion of building homes. He went on to found Prpich Construction, where he took great pride in creating custom homes in Columbia County for several decades.

While living in Forest Grove, Jim was often a patron at the Coffee Grinder, where he met his wife, Barb, who waitressed there. Together, they purchased 70 acres outside of Vernonia, OR and transformed it into a family homestead. They put countless hours into the small farm, gardening, tending an orchard, and raising pigs and chickens. It is also where they raised their three children, the youngest of whom, Tim, has since taken over the property to maintain the family’s legacy.

Jim spent most of his life working long hours building houses and farming, yet he still managed to be deeply involved in the Vernonia community. He was an active member of the Lion’s Club and offered his carpentry skills towards service projects like the Booster Club snack shack and the Hawkin’s Park gazebo. When not working, he could be found hiking the wooded property, attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, or playing a round of golf with his close friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barb of Vernonia, his children Tim Prpich (Katie Prpich) of Vernonia, Ellie Prpich (Josh Ward) of Portland, and Katie Busch (Jared Busch) and grandchildren Kelan and Kinley Busch of Mist, and his brother John Prpich of Wayne, MI.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7th at the Vernonia Scout Cabin/Hawkin’s Park at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s honor to the Vernonia Lion’s Club or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.  

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