Jim DeShirley

• Conference President from 2007 to 2012
• Columbia River District Council President from 2011 to 2016

Jim became an Active Member of the St. John Conference of St. Vincent DePaul in 2005.  He quickly became a home visitor and learned to be an office coordinator. 

His natural talent for fixing whatever was broken carried through his time at SVdP in various ways, such as leading a major update to the Conference’s procedures handbook and patiently trouble-shooting the computer system. Jim’s talent for helping others, his honesty, and his drive to live according to the Vincentian Rule of the Society made him a leader.  He was asked to step in as Conference President when another member could not complete his term due to illness in the family.  Jim was then elected to two more terms. 

Just prior to his term as Conference President, the Columbia River District Council formed.  Its second President had to leave office, and Jim stepped right in as servant leader for the Council.  He served a total of 6 years as President.  During this time Jim saw the need to encourage the District Council to grow.  With the help of other Vincentians in the area, the St. Philip Conference formed in Woodland, on the border of Clark and Cowlitz Counties, and that group continues living out the Mission of Spirituality, Friendship and Service with the zeal of Founder Blessed Frederick Ozanam.

Jim DeShirley left a tremendous legacy of servant leadership for all Vincentians to follow.

You can honor Jim’s memory with a donation to our Vincentian Legacy Campaign.