A celebration of life service will be held for James Rutland of Coos Bay at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Coos Bay Chapel, Seventh and Anderson with Dr. Jerry Hamilton officiating. Cremation Rites will take place at Ocean View Memory Gardens Crematorium in Coos Bay.

James was born on Sept. 25, 1951, in Dallas, Texas, but resided all over the United States at various times in his life. He died on Nov. 4, 2009, at his home in Coos Bay. He was 58 years old.

James and his family came to the Bay Area in 2003, where he became the manager of the Coos County Corrections Drug and Alcohol Treatment program. James devoted his life to helping others. He will be remembered as one who believed in every individual’s potential for positive change. James had a gift of inspiring others and he used that gift to help many people who crossed his path on both a professional level and a personal level. He will be remembered for his passion, dedication and strength.

James had a love for the outdoors. Camping, hiking and kayaking were some of his favorite activities. He loved waterfalls. James married the love of his life, Joanne Hardy, behind a waterfall in the Columbia Gorge. He also treasured his time with his daughter, Ashlee. One of their favorite things to do was to take the truck into the dunes. James will be greatly missed by his family, friends, coworkers and the countless people in the community whose lives he touched.

James is survived by his wife, Joanne Rutland, and his daughter, Ashlee Rutland, both of North Bend.

The Rutland family asks that Memorial Contributions be made to T.H.E. House, P.O. box 418, Coos Bay, Oregon  97420. Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 267-3131.