Pat James, born Patricia Louise Rainey, promoted expectantly and joyously to her heavenly home on March 19, 2023. She entered the world August 26, 1929, in her grandmother’s home in Nampa, ID, the only child of Marion and Rose Rainey. She grew up primarily in Idaho and Montana, moving frequently as her father followed work. Her elementary years involved transferring to another school at least once a year until she boarded with a family member to complete her final years of High School in Boise, ID. Pat believed the Lord used these away-from-home experiences to teach her to accept what life gave her and deal with it.
She enrolled in the University of Montana where she earned a degree in Home Economics. The outreach of Intervarsity Fellowship was instrumental in her life during college, and through its influence she came to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior. Growing in her faith initiated a habit of daily prayer and devotion that she continued to the end of her life. She attributed her stability and security to her times in the Word of God which became especially significant when her husband, Bob, died in 1998. She found great comfort and peace in the words of Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
Pat worked as a dietician until her daughter, Merilyn, was born. Then she “retired” to devote herself to homemaking and ministry in their church. Bob and Pat added a son, Dale, to the family, and the two kids kept her very busy. They raised their family primarily in Oregon. She loved to cook, can, garden, entertain, sew and do various crafts. She also cared for her mother-in-law for many years, then both her mother and father. When grandkids came along, she spent many hours caring for them and giving Dale and his wife, Bonnie, the opportunity to attend conferences or take vacations.
After Bob’s retirement they moved from Salem, OR to Sun City West where they developed great friends, provided care and support to many, and where Pat continued for 25 years as a widow after Bob’s passing. Her life, even in those later years, was filled with gratitude, joy and service. She faithfully supported many missionaries, devoted several years to helping others through GriefShare, and participated in a host of other activities. Recent years found her more limited as macular degeneration limited her vision, and heart and lung issues limited her energy and mobility. Nonetheless, she remained focused on what she could do and only grew in her anticipation of her heavenly home. She embraced Paul’s encouragement that to live is Christ and to die is gain. With great confidence in the Scripture, she anticipated eternity and left this earth peacefully.
She is survived by her children, Merilyn Aldy (Keith) of Peoria, AZ and Dale James (Bonnie) of Cayucos, CA; three grandchildren, Charissa Lejano (Rey) of Whittier, CA, Brooke Bouton (Brent) of Long Beach, CA and Robbie James, currently of Glendale, AZ; and three great-grandchildren, Bailey Rae and Pierre Bouton and Sydney Lejano.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her memory to Missionary Aviation Fellowship of Nampa, ID; Phoenix Rescue Mission; or Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship of Phoenix, AZ.
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