Jim Clair
High School Honors
Basketball: 1-year letter winner. Baseball: 2-year letter winner; 1st Team All-PIL and State as a Junior; 2nd Team All-PIL as a Senior.
Post-High School Career
Lewis & Clark Varsity Baseball letterman 1968-71; 1969 Baseball All-Northwest Conference 1st Team All-Star; 1968-72 semi-pro Baseball with the Hillsboro Black Sox; 1969 had a 10-0 record and pitched a perfect game.
Commentary
My father's coaching and many hours of guidance at an early age provided me basic athletic skill fundamentals, goal setting and desire to compete.
In high school, coach Jack Dunn helped me to further develop those skills in a highly competitive environment. His structured baseball practice sessions enhanced my own organizational skills later in my life as I learned that you play and compete at the same level as you work in practice.
Teamwork is essential in athletics as well as in life. This concept never became more true than when I achieved every pitcher's dream — a perfect game at age 21 while playing for coach Chuck Bafaro's Hillsboro Black Sox. My team supported me on that very special day and every game we played.
Vocationally, I recently retired as President of Columbia River Insurance, Inc., an independent insurance agency. We served as the Broker for property, liability, workers compensation and bonds for many commercial accounts including Hood River County and the Hood River County School District for 31 years. I served on the Providence Hood River Hospital Board for 28 years and past chairman of the board. I was a member and past President of the Hood River Rotary Club: 30 years.
I enjoy racquet ball, tennis, running, lifting light weights and golf.
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