James (Jim) Robert Luening was born on February 18, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Robert and Chrystle Luening. When he was six months old, his family moved to Portland where his father worked in the shipyards during World War II. He attended school in Portland graduating from Roosevelt High School. He participated in sports throughout his school years. He held the PIL record for high hurdles until quite recently. He also had the honor of playing on the Metro All-Stars team in the 1958 Shriners football game. He received a football scholarship to Washington State University, but gave it up after two years to return to Portland and concentrate on academics at Portland State University from which he graduated in 1964. On December 19, 1964 he married his high school sweetheart, Penelope (Penny) Amundson. Jim taught middle school in the Beaverton School District from 1964 to 1966. Then he began to work toward his Master's Degree and was almost finished when he decided he needed a break from school. He and his wife intended to tour Europe for the summer but when they got to Turin, Italy in late August, they decided to stay there and teach English which they did for eight years. While there, they traveled extensively throughout Europe during every holiday and summers. He and Penny returned to Portland in 1976. He began teaching in the Reynolds School District, first at Rockwood Middle School, then at Reynolds Middle School and finally at Walt Morey Middle School where he also coached many sports and was Athletic Director for his last 15 years there. He retired from Walt Morey Middle School in 2008. James is survived by his wife of 46 years, Penelope, his sister, Suzanne Nelsen, nephew, David Nelsen, niece, Laurie Hatch and her husband, Kurt, three grand-nephews: Alex Nelsen, Charlie Hatch and Andrew Hatch plus his extended family and many, many good friends worldwide who will all miss him tremendously. A celebration of life will be held at on March 12, 2011 between 12:00 and 3:00 PM at the Monarch Hotel 12566 Southeast 93rd Avenue in Clackamas. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be given to the Roosevelt High School Athletic Department, 6941 N. Central St., Portland, OR 97203