Presque Isle--- Jim England, 83, loving husband, father, brother, grampy, great grampy, and friend, passed away on January 25,2020. Jim was born on April 2, 1936 in Williamson, West Virginia to his parents Orville and Willie (Hudson) England.

After graduating from Richlands Virginia High School in 1954, he worked for the Norfolk and Western Railroad for a few years. He proudly served his country by joining the United States Air Force in 1956.  Jim did basic training in Texas at Lackland Air Force Base and at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado.  His first assignment was Presque Isle Air Force Base, where he trained as weapons control systems mechanic for the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.  It was here where he met his wife Nancy at a record hop at the Presque Isle Armory, where dances were held every Saturday night.  Jim and Nancy were married September 1959. Jim and Nancy were stationed at Dow Air Force Base. He was discharged from the Air Force after 4 years of service.  Jim moved to Presque Isle with wife and their daughter, Tammy, to start a new chapter in life.

Jim worked for Nichols Produce for a couple of years and managed State Street Citgo gas station.  During this time, he also went to Northern Maine Tech College to advance his electronic knowledge.  He worked for Northland Industrial Truck, a forklift company from Auburn, Maine, to service forklifts in Aroostook County.  He also worked for Potato Service as a forklift supervisor, Interstate Foods in Fort Fairfield as electronic/maintenance supervisor, Mid-State Machine in Vassalboro as an electronic technician, and, finally, Cianbro Corp. where he was employed for 10 years in the position of instrumentation technician.  Jim retired in 2003.

Jim always had a passion for racing.  He started racing at the age of 16 years on dirt tracks in southwest Virginia.  In 1965, he was involved in setting up rules and regulations for stock cars to race at Spud Speedway.  Jim's car was number 13.  Over 3,000 people came to opening day on July 29, 1965. In the late 60's and early 70's, snowmobiles became popular in the "county." Jim and about a dozen other friends formed the first snowmobile club in Presque Isle, which was called the "Roadrunners Snowmobile Club."  This small club made their own drags to haul behind their sleds to make trails.  The club also held grass races and ISOC snowmobile sanctioned oval races held at the Northern Maine Fair racetrack. He was a past member of the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club.  Jim was also a volunteer fireman for 10 years.  Jim also volunteered for the USBA Biathlon events held in Presque Isle after retirement.

In the early 70's Russell Rodgerson nominated Jim to become a Mason.  In 1978, he was inducted into the Shrine in Machias.  Jim was a member of Trinity Lodge no. 130 AF & AM in  Presque Isle, Scottish Rite Bodies of Bangor, member of Aroostook Shrine Club, St. Aldemar Commandery no.17 Knights Templar in Houlton. He was a member of the oriental band unit.  The roots for what is known as the Anah Shrine Klowns were planted around 1979 when Jim (Rainbow) started clowning.  In those days, there was  not a clown unit in Aroostook county; Rainbow was the only clown in "the county" for many years. "Rainbow" continued in this fashion until 1997, when he and three other Shriners received permission to form a clown unit in Aroostook county. After the Aroostook Klown Unit was formed,  he was Boss Klown for five years. The Klown unit has grown during the years into a sizable shrine unit.

Jim's favorite moments were hunting with his friends, camping at St. Froid and Portage Lakes with family and friends, being with the Klown Family, and enjoying life.

Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughter Tammy and her husband Brian Richardson, his sister Sharon Cox, niece Natalie and her husband Jason, and nephew JT Keaton. Jim is also survived by his granddaughter Ashley Swift, great granddaughter Aubrey Swift and Brian Swift , grandson  Joey Giberson; Jim loved them dearly.  He is also survived by sister-in-law Betsy and her husband Tom Fitzherbert, Peter Nichols, Willie Nichols, Sallie and Robert Theriault, and he was called Uncle Jim by many nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his mother, Willie Hill, father, Orville England, brother-in-law, Thurman Cox, and brother-in-law, Joel Nichols

When someone dies, a cloud turns into an angel and flies up to tell God to put another flower on a pillow.  A bird gives the message back to the world and sings a silent prayer that makes the rain cry.  People disappear but they never really go away.  The spirits up there put the sun to bed, wake up grass, and spin the earth in dizzy circles.  Sometimes you can see them dancing in a cloud during the daytime when they are supposed to be sleeping.  They paint the rainbows and the sunsets and make waves splash and tug at the tide.  They toss shooting stars and listen to wishes.  In addition, when they sing wind-songs, they whisper to us, "Do not miss me too much.  The view is nice and I am doing just fine."

A Celebration of Jim's Life will be will be held on June 7, 2020, at 1 PM at Aroostook Shrine Club, 390 Houlton Rd., Presque Isle.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Aroostook Humane Society or Anah Shriners Sunshine Club.