James Edward Bertrand

On September 26, 2023, James Edward Bertrand ("Jim") peacefully died at home at the age of 73 in Lubbock, TX from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Renowned for his sense of humor and love of life, nothing was more fun to Jim than playing with his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. He stumbled upon a second-chance love in his life, Susan Bergeson, in 1992. Together, they blended their family to include five wonderful children and eight grandchildren: Jessica (Bertrand) and Matthew Maloney (Addison, Liam); Stephanie (Bertrand) and Isaac Conner; Danielle Bertrand; Heather (Laursen) and Johnny Lane (Bella, Cambri, Reece, Jackson); Matthew and Mackenzie Laursen (Micah, Maddox). A thank you to Karen Bertrand, the mother of his children (Jessica, Stephanie and Danielle), for her gift to their life. Jim was born in Portland, OR to his parents, Jack and Betty Bertrand, and grew up with seven beloved younger siblings: Steve, Dave, Lynne (Streich), Julie (DeChant), Sandy (Rich), Rob and Rick. He graduated from Grant High School in 1968, attended Portland State University and then enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Vietnam War on the USS Oklahoma City from 1970-74. Jim graduated from Portland Community College with his AAS in Construction Technology and worked as an engineering designer. He loved life and lived it to its fullest. Even in the grocery store, he was always cooing at babies. No fart joke was ever left unsaid. Rail fanning, gardening, birding, kayaking, camping and traveling to see the kids kept him entertained in retirement. He was an N-scale model train enthusiast. For all of you he teased incessantly, you were loved unconditionally. He leaves us with these tidbits of wisdom: No one can make you mad or angry, you have to let them; don't. There is a difference between being lonely and alone. Every chance you get, dance in the rain. A memorial service is planned in Portland at a time convenient for his family. Jim was a proud Vietnam Veteran and will be interned in the Willamette National Cemetery. Having been diagnosed with Alzheimer 's disease early in the process, Jim made the generous decision to donate his brain to science. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the Garrison Institute on Aging at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in his name. The link is: https://connect.ttuhscalumni.org/Brain-Bank

James Edward Bertrand

July 16, 1950 - September 26, 2023