Jim “Jimmy” Ober passed away on June 2, 2023, exactly two months after his 75th birthday.

Born to Elizabeth and Douglas Ober, he was one of six brothers and sisters. He was a big fan of fishing, hunting, and abalone diving and passed this love on to his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. He went to school at South Fork, where he met his longtime friend, Joe Rogers. After high school, he reported for duty to the Army and spent time in Germany. After his stint in the Army, he returned to Humboldt County where he eventually lived in Scotia, working at Pacific Lumber Company for several decades, and helping raise his three children, Heather, Ryan and Kurt.

In 1988, he married Sandra Ober, whom he affectionately called “Mrs. O.” This added two stepchildren, Angie and Marc, to the family.

After working at PL as a grader and eventually as an assistant foreman in the factory where so many employees said he was “the best boss ever,” he worked at Bear River Casino as a shuttle driver. The family often joked about the stories he shared. Through the years, he enjoyed hunting with his buddy, Harvey Holt, carving and painting duck decoys, checking his wood duck boxes, collecting his Oregon Ducks memorabilia, picking blackberries and making his popular pies that he shared with all to enjoy, and just working around his home in Rio Dell.

He will always be remembered with much love and is survived by his heartbroken wife, Sandra Ober, his daughter Heather Bryan (Steve), his son Ryan Ober (Traci), his son Kurt Ober (Heidi), his stepdaughter Angie Rocha (Kenny), and stepson Marc Barsanti (Jesse); his grandchildren whom lovingly called him “Grampy”: Makenzie Franks (Jordan), Skyler Ober, Parker Bryan (Gracie), Kamrin Ober, Tiara Brown, Tierney Mobley, Maddy Rocha, Hunter Barsanti, Gage Barsanti, Bearett Barsanti; and great-grandchildren: Zayden, Ainsley, Ariella and Deluca; his sisters Kathy Goodell, Judy Wharton (Mike), and Penny Owens; his sisters-in-law Cindie Kelley (Neil) and Phyllis Ober; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Ober, his father, Douglas Ober, his brothers, Doug and Richard Ober, brothers-in-law, Barney Goodale and Dana Owens, his father and mother-in-law, Joe and Gloria Masini, and good friend, Kevin Primofiore, with whom he spent weekends hunting and at his cabin in Ruth.

While there will be no formal service per his request, on the day of his passing many of his family members were by his side. We laughed, cried and shared stories and memories. We feel fortunate to have had the time we had with him. It was the perfect day to honor his memory.