James Howard Ready of Chandler passed from this life September 26 at the age of 70.

"Jim" was born in Amarillo, Texas to Joe Howard and Mattie Gardener Ready on May 19, 1944. He was the fifth of six children.

The effects of the Great Depression caused the family to move west. By 1955, they settled in the small town of Yamhill, Oregon and finished raising their children.

Jim attended high school in Yamhill. He married Pamela James on April 2, 1963, in Newberg, Oregon. That union brought three children, two sons and a daughter, Wes, Robbie and Joe.

Early on Jim provided for him and his new bride while working for ESCO Corporation in Portland, Oregon. The couple briefly resided in Dundee before moving to the Ready home place in Yamhill, located on Woodland Loop Road. For the next several years Jim worked for CF Laughlin Logging Company. There Jim loaded up in a crummy {a logging vehicle} with several others who headed to the woods to set chokers, work on the rigging and do whatever was needed.

In 1969 through 1977, Jim merged with his brother Frank Ready in a construction business. Known as J & F Contractors, Jim and Frank provided framing, foundations and flatwork among other services.

In the late 1970s, Jim and Pam welcomed nephew, Mike Ready into their home. The new addition grew into a fourth child who was loved and supported through adulthood.

In 1981, the crestfallen Oregon economy forced Jim and Pam to make a decision to move their family to Oklahoma. Branching out as a general contractor, Jim built commercial structures and formed R & S Construction Company. His sons, Wes and Joe, worked beside their dad from an early age.

Jim and Pam built, owned and operated the Quarter Horse Inn in Stroud, in 1984. The next entrepreneurship decisions lead Jim to build Route 66 Pawn, Storage and Pro Shop in Chandler in 1999. He operated the business with his son, Joe, until he retired in 2008.

Jim always began his day in the local coffee shop, whether in Yamhill or Chandler, friends, conversation and making deals was his passion.

Throughout his life Jim enjoyed hunting, water skiing, team roping, raising Longhorn Cattle, collecting western artifacts, traveling, family and his many friends.

He was very competitive in the roping pen. He built an arena at his house where he and Pam held weekly ropings in the 1990s. It was a family affair, his kids and grandkids worked, roped and played. Ropers statewide hauled to attend. Practice nights were long, dusty, and entertaining as Jim would say, "Let's run ‘em through one more time!"

He always had time for his grandchildren and didn't mind them following in his steps anywhere he went. Along the way he would encourage, teach, and help them out in any way he could -- along with a practical joke or two!

Family members describe Jim as a trailblazer who was tough and strong, an unwavering, determined man who could be hardheaded. He was a teacher and mentor to all. He was a "real life John Wayne", a man's man who lived life to the fullest. He was jovial, "the life of the party". Everything about him was big and fun, his laughter lit up a room. Even though he portrayed a gruff, abrasive exterior, he was a loving, tender-hearted, kind, generous, big ole teddy bear. He loved Pam and he wasn't afraid to show it in front of everyone. He was sensitive and devoted to her and his family. For acts of kindness toward him, he was thankful. He worked hard, played hard, and helped strangers in need along his way. He did many good things for so many people; a huge void will be left in his wake.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pam of 48 years, and his sister Lynda Fuller.

He left behind four children Richard Weston Ready and his wife Tammy Jo; Robbie McCommas and her husband Jeff; and Joe Ready and his wife Robyn; Mike Ready and his wife Jackie; twelve grandchildren, Kyler McCommas, Jake Ready, Nikki Ready, Joe Ready and his wife Lindsey, Jessica McCommas, Eithen Ready, Emily McCommas, Mattie Ready, Shea Ready, Clay Ready, Rylie Ready and Bailey Ready; eight great-grandchildren, Chloe Morrison, Riley Ready, Hunter Ready, Brock Morrison, Sophie Ready, Alexa Ready, Riggin Ready, and Hadley Benson; three brothers and a sister, Joe Bill Ready, Dolly Hoover, Ed Ready and Frank Ready.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m. at White Dove Cemetery in Sparks.

Robert Wonn and Jeff McCommas will be officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.