Jimmy Lee Massey

Jimmy Lee Massey was born on April 3, 1937, in Commerce, Texas to Curley Massey Sr. and Maxine Stiggers. He was the fourth born of eight children. Jimmy went home to be with the Lord on Sunday morning July 7th, peacefully with his daughter Marcia and son-in-law Robert by his side.

Jimmy came to Portland in 1951 with his father at the age of fourteen. He attended Roosevelt High School. Jimmy excelled in sports. His favorite was basketball. He had skills and knew it. He was a letterman. He said he was so good, he could have gone pro, but it wasn’t meant to be.

In 1955, he met a cute young lady, her name was Charlene Curtis. They married and to this union came 5 children: Terry, Marcus, Timothy, Marcia and Kelly. They were young and both trying to find their way, they loved each other, but it was not meant to be, so they were their separate ways.

Some years later, Jimmy met a lovely young lady named Laura Phillips, they were married  January 7, 1967 and to this union was a son, Manuel. Some years later, they decided to end the marriage.

Jimmy had several jobs, but he knew he could do better for himself, so he went to college and got his associate degree and went to work for the State of Oregon.

Jimmy was a very sharp dresser. That man had style! There wasn’t a day a day he left the house out of style. He definitely wasn’t hard on the eyes. He was a handsome man and a gentleman.

His game of choice was the race track. When Jimmy first came to Portland, his first job was walking the horses at the track. He would work every day and hitchhike to school to be on time for his first class. That was the beginning of his horse track love.

Jimmy was a leader. He loved his life on his own terms. He loved his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a believer in Christ. He was baptized and attended the church. He loved the Lord.

His sense of humor was unmatchable. He was not only funny, but he was kind and had a big heart for the people he loved. We will miss him so much.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Curley and Maxine, two of his children; Kelly Massey and Timothy Massey, his sisters; Hazel Massey and Helen Barnett. His brothers; Curley Jr., Joseph, Bobby, and Donny.

He leaves to cherish his memory; Daughters; Terry Wicks, Marcia Massey-Isom, Sons; Marcus Massey and Manuel Massey, one sister, Mildred Moore-Weatherall, 32 grandchildren, 70 or more great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Last but not least, his caregiver Veronica. Thank you for everything you did!

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