Frank Nims

Frank Nims, son of Leon and Ethel Nims, was born at Sumas, Washington on August 19, 1917. He attended local schools, then Western Washington College at Bellingham where he graduated in 1939. Two weeks later he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a flying cadet, and received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1940. He served as a pilot and officer in the Air Force until he retired in 1961 as a lieutenant colonel. In 1941, Frank married Betty Hogg of Vancouver, Washington. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Frank and his family moved to a farm in Cove, Oregon where they developed and operated a commercial orchard of sweet cherries for 28 years. While in Cove, he was Union County President of the Farm Bureau and served on the state board of directors. He also served as Union County Chairman for the Republican Party for 9 years, and served as a member of the Electoral College which cast the Oregon vote for Ronald Reagan. In 1987,Frank and Betty moved to a farm near Sherwood, Oregon. Always active in conservative politics, Frank founded and was the long-time president of Oregonians in Action, a non-profit organization devoted to protection of private property rights as well as other rights as defined in our Constitution. Frank was interested in the Nims genealogy, and cofounded the new Nims Family Association in 1979, resulting in a book being published that documents the lives of the first seven generations of descendants of Godfrey Nims, from whom all persons of the name Nims are descended. The NFA has been meeting regularly in Deerfield, MA ever since. Throughout his life, Frank was an avid hunter and fisherman. He fished locally, in Alaska, and in Canada well into his 90’s. Frank died peacefully on May 20, 2017, in his Sherwood home, surrounded by family. He is survived by his three sons: Dave (Carol); Dan (Trudee); and Ron (Mary); 8 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by all his siblings, his wife Betty, and his daughter Linda. He was the patriarch of the family and a rock on which they could all depend. He will be greatly missed. A service will be held at Willamette National Cemeteryat 2:00 PM on August 11th, the timing chosen to celebrate his 100thbirthday. Memorial contributions may be sent to Oregonians in Action, PO Box 230637, Tigard, OR 97281.

Frank Nims

August 19, 1917 - May 20, 2017