James V. (Mort) Mortensen
February 20, 1930 — July 30, 2022

It is with much sadness we announce the passing of Jim Mortensen in Cottonwood, California.

Jim was born to Jim and Alice Mortensen in Scotia and spent his childhood in Elinor along with his sibling Helen (Shug) Mortensen/Campbell. Jim graduated from the Elinor Grammar School and from the Fortuna Union High School in Class of 1948. Jim was on the tennis team and told that because he lived quite a ways from town, that he practiced hitting balls against the side of his barn.

Following school, Jim worked for The Pacific Lumber Company in the woods until his enlistment in the United States Air Force in September of 1950. Jim was discharged in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After completing his hitch in the Air Force, he went to work for Garret Air Research in the Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona area as a test engineer. Following his retirement from Garret he returned to Humboldt County and Fortuna.

Jim was very involved in the aviation industry locally, working as an instructor pilot and commercial pilot. He flew fire patrol in a program that was financed by the local lumber companies. Because of advanced age, Jim retired from flying with over 11,000 hours in his log book.

Jim is survived by his son Ken, of New York City, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He will be especially missed by two of his oldest friends, classmates and Air Force buddies, Stan Smith and Rich Sweet.

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The obituary above was submitted by Jim Mortensen’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.