Obituary: James Alfred Titus, 92, Lyle Wash.
James Alfred Titus
James Alfred Titus, resident of Lyle, WA, passed away peacefully with family by his side on April 22, 2026, 5 days shy of his 93rd birthday.
Jim was born April 27, 1933 on the family farm in Castle Rock, WA to Arthur and Mildred Titus. He was the middle of seven siblings, joining Dick, Ron, Dorothy and followed by Keith, Carol, and Sue. Jim grew up in the Castle Rock area graduating from Castle Rock High School in 1951. He excelled in sports and was part of the 1950 undefeated football team. Go Rockets!
Jim joined the United States Naval Reserves while in high school and then reported to active duty in 1952 with just under 3 years of service. He attended Lower Columbia Community College and then Western Washington College of Education now called Western Washington University.
Jim met his future wife while attending WWU, Joan McQuigg, in 1957 when Joan needed a ride home from Bellingham to Toledo, which is on the way back to Castle Rock. That ride was the start of the courtship, which turned into infatuation, and then a marriage that lasted 66 years, starting December 29, 1957.
They graduated together from Western Washington in 1958 and started looking for teaching opportunities within the same school district that would hire them both. Jim and Joan accepted positions from Lyle High School for the fall of 1958, after agreeing on a plan to stay and gain experience in Lyle for two or three years.
The plan changed and Jim’s entire career lasted for 31 years in the Lyle School District until his retirement in 1990. Jim taught Social Studies, History, PE and coached Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, and Cross Country. He had many great teams and athletes, which turned into lasting memories and lifelong friendships. He took up the duties of Athletic Director in 1967.
Jim attended summer schools at Central Washington University where he obtained his Principal credentials before becoming Principle of Lyle High School in 1972. He held both positions until his retirement. Durning this time, Jim and Joan, raised two wonderful sons, Erik and Paul. The whole family went to most sporting events and spent countless hours sitting on the hard wooden bleachers. In 1992, Lyle High School bestowed an honor to Jim by dedicating the naming of the gym the James A Titus Gymnasium.
In retirement, Jim kept himself busy by working for Amery Farms and continued countless hours of community support with the Lyle Lions Club. Jim and Joan had a winter residence in Apache Junction, AZ where they were snowbirds for over 15 years. They loved the desert, hiking, and wildflowers in bloom.
Jim and Joan purchased a minivan that was nicknamed the fun bus, where Jim was the driver. The fun bus had many adventures with weekly Friday night dinners with the William’s, Oldenburg’s and whoever else might be able to join.
Jim was an avid reader with local history and Westerns being his favorite. He loved following sports on TV and watching Mariner’s baseball.
Jim loved his two son’s beautiful families and their wives, 4 granddaughters, and 7 great grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Joan (2024), infant son Jon Eric Titus, parents Arthur and Mildred Titus, brothers Dick, Ron, and Keith, and sister Dorothy. He is survived by his son Erik and Crystal and their children, Leah, Sarah, Krista, and son Paul and Mary Jo and their daughter Natalie, sisters Carol and Sue, and best friend Dean Oldenburg. They did crafts together, helped each other on projects, and Dean was part of the Titus family. Dean was a great neighbor, helped look after Jim to make sure all was well and responded to his emergencies when needed.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lyle Lions Club or the charity of your choice.
A service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Spencer, Libby & Powell in The Dalles, OR, followed by a luncheon at the Lyle Lions Club.
