Jim Harrison was born on June 22, 1957, in Reno, Nevada.
Raised in a ranching family, Jim learned early the value of hard work and the importance of a man’s word. At 21, Jim married the love of his life, Letti, beginning not just a marriage but a lifelong love story. For 47 years, they shared the kind of steadfast partnership that weathered every season together, built on mutual respect, deep affection, and unwavering devotion.
Together, they raised two sons, Will and Lee, and saw their family grow to include Will’s wife, Jennifer, and their daughters, Hannah and Hadley of Montague, California—granddaughters who brought him endless pride. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling to watch them in livestock show rings across the country, where he beamed with pride.
Jim’s calling was always to be a cowboy and cattleman. He first moved to Northern California to work for Phil Statler at the Hunt Estate in Oak Run and Bieber, California. He then moved on to working on the Moseman Ranch in Millville, where he and Letti welcomed their first son, Will. Soon after, Jim began working for Kenny Elwood Sr. in Bella Vista (where they welcomed their second son, Lee), marking the start of what would become a decades-long chapter of dedication to ranching, which
included not only hard work, but a shared way of life among the people he worked alongside that became family. At the time of his passing, he worked alongside Kenny Elwood Jr., and his wife Megan, and lived on the ranch in Bella Vista.
Jim was a cowboy in the truest sense of the word: honest, humble, and strong, with a quiet confidence that spoke louder than any boast. He had a passion for training and working his dogs, along with fly fishing his favorite streams and rivers. He competed in team ropings and ranch rodeos all over Northern California, always with the same determination, skill, and quiet confidence that he brought to every part of his life. To those who knew him, Jim was more than a cattleman – he was a loyal friend, devoted family man, and someone whose handshake was a promise you could count on.
Jim leaves behind is wife, Letti; mother, Lorraine; brother, John; sons, Will (Jennifer) and Lee. Jim also has two granddaughters, Hannah and Hadley Harrison. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert. Jim’s celebration of life will be held Thursday, October 2, at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in the Ron Knight Building at 4 p.m.: a fitting place for friends, family, and fellow cattlemen to gather and honor the life of a man who is deeply missed, but never forgotten. Jim leaves behind a legacy of integrity, hard work, and love for his family; a true cattleman through and through.
