James Theodore Woolbright

James Theodore Woolbright was born the second of two children and the only son of James Marvin and Janis Carol (Hilliker) Woolbright in McMinnville, Yamhill County, Ore., on May 18, 1989. His family, having recently moved from Enterprise, Ore., lived in McMinnville for the next 10 years, during which he was homeschooled along with his older sister Julie Ann (Betsy). Jimmy, as he was known during his childhood and youth, often went on “field trips” with his family, traveling to museums, national and state parks, sites of historical and geologic interest, places of interesting flora and fauna. The excellent education provided primarily by his dedicated mother’s skilled and diligent efforts set for him a pattern of self-directed learning that continued for the rest of his life and served him well.

At an early age James was led by his mother into a personal and saving relationship with the Lord Jesus, thus beginning his lifelong pilgrimage in pursuit of deeper knowledge of, increased closeness to, and more perfect imitation of his Creator and Redeemer. From the time he was about five until about age 15 he participated with his sister in the AWANA program, and like his sister, was an efficient and voracious “memorizing machine,” storing vast portions of scripture, and winning many awards, certificates and trophies.

At the age of 10 James’s family moved to live with his paternal grandmother on a small acreage near Kennewick. After spending about a year there, they moved to Woodland, where he lived on his family’s small farm until his death.

Computers, Legos, photography, cars, select genres of music (best typified by that of John Michael Talbot), literature and poetry, history, writing, gardening and horticulture all captured his interest for periods of time, but Bible — all things Bible — biblical archaeology, ancient Near East geopolitical history, customs of ancient peoples of the Near East, biblical hermeneutics, biblical languages, analysis and comparison of pseudepigraphal and apocryphal texts — all these and subjects allied to them dominated his interest, time, and energy for the last 20 years of his life and he became, in the eyes of an astute, unbiased observer of excellent biblical scholars (his father), a biblical scholar of highest research excellence, unmatched scholastic integrity, and unparalleled perceptivity, discernment and analysis of patterns in text. In his research he was exhaustively thorough, scrupulously honest, rigorously self-critical, diligent in literary and source comparisons. In writing he was relentlessly perfectionists in matters of grammar, logical flow of thought, smoothness of style. His keen eye, his careful attention to detail, his unflagging pursuit of perfection put him in some demand as a personal editor.

His demeanor was quiet, unassuming, even meek, but his communication was direct, clear, unambiguous and elucidating. He did not offer commentary on anything speculatively, preferring not to speak at all if not with certainty and authority. In questions of Bible-related concerns he never failed to provide answers that were quietly delivered but altogether satisfying.

Although James was a serious person who eschewed trivial concerns and flippancy, and avoided those persons who were habitually trivial or flippant, and although he often appeared to be wearing a scowl, the switch on his humor apparatus was never turned to the “off” position; his humor was keen, active, dry, always engaged.

Although James was a quiet person who preferred to remain in secondary background roles, and to be unnoticed, all who had opportunity to know him recognized in him a treasure of the very most noble of character qualities: in dealing with others — gentleness, quietness, loyalty, tenderheartedness, compassion, mercy and a forgiving, unbiased spirit that sought to make peace, serving others before himself; with regard to himself and his duties and tasks — diligent, thorough, reliable, responsible, untiringly conscientious in work for himself or for others, relentless in pursuit of duty; and with regard to his Creator — unceasing in pursuit of the high calling of Christ, to be conformed to His image, to be a man after His heart.

James passed away sometime the morning of Monday, March 18, 2024, of natural causes. Although autopsy results remain pending, it is thought that his death was, as was his mother’s, related to Marfan syndrome and rupture of an aneurysm of a major blood vessel. “Only one life, so soon will be passed — only what’s done for Christ will last.”

James was only recently preceded in death by his mother, Janis, with whom he was very close, and to whose care he dedicated himself when she was not well and his father was away working. He is survived by his father, James M. Woolbright, his sister, Julie Ann (Betsy) Woolbright, niece Andrea and nephew Miles, all of Woodland, his grandmother Jane Woolbright, aunt Polly Silvas (Reuben), cousins Karina and Kendra, aunt Connie (Allen), of Kennewick, and his cats.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, at Kamiah Bible Church, 521 10th St., Kamiah. A catered lunch will follow. Those who wish to do so may bring a dessert. Burial will be the following day, Sunday, April 21 after regular morning worship service at Woodland Friends Church. Graveside service and burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery, which adjoins the church. All who wish to attend Sunday school and/or morning worship service at Woodland Friends Church are welcomed to do so. At 6 p.m. Sunday evening, there will be a fellowship night in his honor that will take place in the basement of Woodland Friends Church. All are invited to attend and enjoy provided food, and are encouraged to bring their own covered-dish food or dessert if desired.

The Woolbright family thanks Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville for their expert and compassionate assistance.