James H. Person

James "Jim" H. Person, 94, of Mesa, died June 25, 2020.

Jim was born Sept. 24, 1925, in Colorado Springs, Colo., to John and Gladys Person. The oldest of their four chiildren, he grew up on a ranch near Peyton, Colo.

Jim joined the U.S. Army in 1945 at the end of World War II. He was assigned to a unit in New York state and quickly became a New York Giants fan.

After his service, he returned to Colorado, where he went to college and resumed working on the family ranch.

As a veteran, he entered the drawing for a lot in the Columbia Basin Project and was drawn for Block 12 in 1943. So, he purchased a parcel outside Mesa and moved here.

Jim met his futur wife, Louise, on a blind date and tehy were married July 30, 1953 in her hometown of Fremont, Ohio. Together they moved to their new Mesa-area farm.

Jim was active in the area, serving for 15 years on the North Franklin School Board, nine years as a committeeman and as a member of St. Paul the Apostle Church of Eltopia.

He is survived by his wife, Louise; children, Susan (Lee) Walter, Michael (Rose) Person, John (Suzie) Person and Gregory (Kyla) Person; sister, Claire; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.