James Jones is known around the Center as James, JP, Stealth Docent (he appears regularly—without signing up in advance) and Neon Thunder (for his hi-viz rain gear). James is a Portland area native. He has four brothers, four sisters and is right in the middle as the fourth oldest of the group. Married to Marcie for nearly 40 years, James has one daughter in Idaho and a son in Portland. And he thoroughly enjoys his five grandsons!

After starting at Beaverton High School, James graduated from Cleveland High School in Seattle, Washington, and was a member of the Junior ROTC. He served as a heavy equipment operator in the Merchant Marines from 1973-1977. James enjoyed grain ships—they smelled like cereal—but they were very dangerous, as grain dust is highly combustible. Following his years in the Marines, he drove an 18-wheeler locally for United Grocers and Associated Grocers. James permanently parked his Kenworth in 2016.

James loves Holiday Express! He enjoys working the parking lot and talking with patrons before and especially after riding the train. As a museum docent, he enjoys chatting with both visitors and volunteers, and sharing wisdom about the vintage equipment. James volunteers in construction and carpentry with Habitat for Humanity and runs bingo at the Family Senior Center in King City. But what he enjoys most is taking his 87-year-old aunt shopping at Grocery Outlet every Saturday at 8am sharp.

Among his many hobbies, James loves to travel, enjoys his HO scale model trains—regularly shopping for kits at local swap meets—and enjoys watching anything starring Humphrey Bogart. He listens to jazz, blues and music by Carlos Santana.

James is a hard worker, eternally kind and a joy to be around. He is always at the ready with a lesson his grandmother taught him, many of which he applies in his daily life. You might not know he is a wonderful blend of Americana—a little bit of Irish, Scottish, Ghanian, Welsh and Scandinavian!