Jim Vincent followed in his father’s footsteps as a newspaper photographer, joining the staff of the Oregon Journal in 1954. He moved to The Oregonian in 1965 and worked there until his retirement in 1995. He covered nearly every U.S. President in office during his storied career, plus major news stories and sports events across the Northwest. He was The Oregonian’s Chief Photographer from 1979 to 1989.

Highlights of his lifelong journalism career included photographing a historic summit between President Nixon and Japanese Emperor Hirohito in 1971, the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the return of American POWs after the Vietnam War, flying with President Gerald Ford on Air Force One, and President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 visit to the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

Vincent was an expert in aerial photography, bringing unique views to the pages of the newspaper. He loved to fly and spent countless hours in the air with Leverett Richards, The Oregonian’s reporter-pilot. He immersed himself in photographing the traditions of the city and state, covering several decades worth of Rose Festival Grand Floral Parades, St. Paul Rodeos and Pendleton Round Ups.

Perhaps the pinnacle of his career came when Vincent, a devout Catholic, had the opportunity to photograph and meet Pope John Paul II while covering the Pope’s visit to Canada in 1984.

Born in Portland’s Emanuel Hospital, Vincent attended Sacred Heart Grade School (now Our Lady of the Lake) in Lake Oswego. His family moved to Brookings for a short time, where he graduated as Valedictorian from Brookings High School in 1950. He went on to Oregon State College and then the University of Portland, earning a Business degree in 1954. He was president of his senior class.

He married Margaret Patricia “Patty” Paulsen in 1959, starting a 58-year marriage full of love, travel, and family camping adventures. Vincent traveled to all 50 states and discovered a love of cruising following his 1995 retirement. An Eagle Scout, he was exceptionally proud that he was able to guide all four of his sons to the rank of Eagle.

A volunteer board member for Oregonians Federal Credit Union from 1977 until 2009, he served as the Board Chair for much of that time. He was a longtime board member of the Glenmorrie Water Cooperative Association. Vincent was a lifetime member of the National Press Photographers Association and a past-president of the Oregon Press Photographers Association.

Vincent is survived by his wife Patty; sons James (Raema) and Richard (Rebecca) of Lake Oswego; David (Robin) of Raleigh, NC; John (Cheryl) of Portland; and three grandchildren: Grace, Mary Frances, and Nancy. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Mary Vincent of Lake Oswego, sister Nancy O’Rourke Tang of Portland, and half-siblings June Pajari and Stewart Vincent.

A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 in the evening, Thursday, June 14, at Riverview Abbey, 0319 SW Taylors Ferry Rd., Portland. Vincent’s funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 15, at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 790 A. Ave., Lake Oswego. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Portland.

The family requests donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Portland or the National Park Foundation in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are being handled by Riverview Abbey.

Recitation of the Rosary

7:00 PM ,Thursday, June 14, 2018
Riverview Abbey Funeral Home
0319 SW Taylors Ferry Road Portland, OR, OR 97219

Funeral Mass

11:00 AM ,Friday, June 15, 2018
Our Lady of the Lake Church
790 A Avenue Lake Oswego