James Akre ’71

James “Jim” Christopher Akre, 64, a longtime resident of the Reedsport community lost his battle with leukemia Sept. 12, 2013, at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Springfield.

A celebration of life service was held at the Pacific Auditorium, Reedsport Community Charter School, 2260 Longwood Drive in Reedsport.

James Christopher Akre was born May 25, 1949, in Chicago, Ill., to Osmund and Dagmar (Hauge) Akre.

He was raised and educated there having received his bachelor’s degree at Carleton College and his Masters in English Education from the University of Oregon. He taught and coached his entire career, starting in Chicago, Winnebago, Minn., and in Reedsport, from 1978 until his retirement in 2005.

Jim married Susan Shephard in 1971 and they were later divorced. He married Carole Schweitzer in 1996 in Reedsport.

Jim gave generously of his time to many community organizations including the Reedsport Booster Club, The Lions Club, the Reedsport Education Enrichment Foundation, The Umpqua Discovery Center, where he was the program director, Friends of the Umpqua River Light (a true labor of love), and the Lower Umpqua Hospital Board. He helped research, collect, and preserve local Reedsport history, authoring a book on the subject. He coached Reedsport to the state football title in 1990 when he was named Oregon’s coach of the year. He was most fulfilled by the hearts and minds he reached in both the class room and on the playing field, and the relationships he enjoyed while devoting time and energy to making his community a better place.

Jim is survived his wife, Carole Akre; son, Ethan Akre of Gresham; daughter, Erin and husband, Matt Hoppe of Hutchinson, Minn.; stepson, Tim and Erin Schweitzer of Sherwood; stepdaughter, Becky and Paul Bowers of Eugene; brother, Steven and Sharman Akre of Victor, Mont.; brother-in-law, John and Janet Furman of North Carolina; and his precious grandchildren, Tristan, Logan, Josh, Sydney, Isaac and Eli.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions made to Reedsport Education Enrichment Foundation, (REEF) P.O. Box 203, Reedsport, OR 97467; or Friends Of Umpqua River Light, 1020 Lighthouse Way, Reedsport, OR 97467.