Obituary: James Harmon Unthank, September 3, 1938 - July 12, 2018

James Harmon Unthank (Jim) passed away the evening of July 12, 2018 Due to the complications of Diabetes.

Jim was born in Portland, Oregon to Thelma Raimey Shipman and Dr. DeNorval Unthank, MD September 3, 1938, the third of five children.

Jim graduated from Ulysses S. Grant High School in Portland and attended Howard University in Washington DC and Lewis & Clark College in Portland. His Military career began with ROTC at Howard University. Jim was active for many years in the Air Force National Guard at the Portland Air Base.

Jim’s lifelong career was in the social service field; working at various agencies including Model Cities programs, PMSC; Portland Metropolitan Steering Committee, Job Counselor at Job Corps; Tongue Point (Astoria) and Ogden, Utah.

In 1977 he moved to California, for counseling positions in the San Francisco/ Oakland area, including the Bay Area Urban League, Inc.

Upon his return to Portland in 1996, he was a counselor and job developer with Portland Private Industry and employment Specialist with IAM cares programs, before working with the National Council on Aging and Easter Seals.

Jim had a love of music. As a teen and young adult, he mastered the Alto and Baritone Saxophone. His love of Jazz music was a life time enjoyment for him.

Preceded in death by his parents DeNorval and Thelma Unthank, siblings DeNorval Jr, Thelma U Brown and Nephew Peter Unthank. Jim is survived by his son Gregory D. Unthank Sr (Dominique) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Greg’s mother Shirley Nesbitt -Barzar (Oklahoma) Grandchildren Gregory D Unthank II ( Aiza) of Hawaii, Tierney D. Unthank, Tai Matthew Devyn Unthank, Carrington D. Unthank (Maryland), two Great Granddaughters Arianna and Audrianna (Hawaii), Brother Thomas C. Unthank; sister, Lesley Unthank, Nieces and Nephew; Libby Tower, Amy Unthank, Marsha Jordan, Lisa Brown, Wendi Brown, Andre Unthank.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations in memory of Jim to:

N/NE AARP Local Chapter #5264
c/o 3236 NE Liberty Court
Portland, OR 97211

or

Unthank Memorial Scholarship
c/o Piedmont Rose Connection
PO Box 4265
Portland, OR 97218

A Celebration of Life was held August 7, 2018, at St Philips the Deacon Episcopal Church, 120 N Knott Portland, Ore.