M artin L uther K ing J r .
January 13, 2016
2016 special edition
From MLK to Today
C ontinued froM f ront
new voices to local protests, self-
care events, and other activities in
which new leaders and alliances
have emerged. Being able to cover
the progress being made and dif-
ficulties than remain has been an
honor.The passing of the baton
from one generation to the next is
visible, and our goal in many ways
is to highlight these social justice
activists, poets, queer students
of color, participants of Occupy
Portland, members of Black Lives
Matter, and others who follow in
MLK’s path.
Inside, find stories on what
it’s like to join the justice move-
ment, read about a former home-
less black youth who leveled up
to executive director of a local
nonprofit, and experience the
joy of two blossoming young
writers and artists who are Port-
land’s first Youth Poet Laureates,
amongst others.
We are so excited to share this
issue with you and thank all our
readers and supporters.
Obituary
In Loving Memory
Arnold Anthony Pitre was
born on Nov. 20, 1945 in Van-
port to William Joseph Pitre and
Wilma Lee Pitre.
He was baptized at an early
age and became a member of
Vancouver Avenue First Baptist
Church where he was active in
attending Sunday school and
singing in the children’s choir.
He grew up in north and
northeast Portland, attending
Boise Elementary, Benson High
and graduating from Roosevelt
High in 1963. Shortly after grad-
uation, he joined the Air Force
and achieved the rank of Airman
3 with posts in Texas, Colorado,
Guam and California before his
honorable discharge in 1967.
Returning to Portland, he at-
tended Portland Community
College and studied business ad-
ministration receiving his asso-
ciate’s degree. He then studied at
Portland State University where
he met the love of his life, Judi.
They married in July 1971 and
from this union they raised four
sons Kevin, Anthony, William
and Tyrone.
To know Arnold was to love
him. He had a way of always
making others feel good and he
had an uncanny and innate abil-
ity to make others laugh and re-
lax. He was quite the prankster
and was always able to find com-
edy in just about any situation.
He was also blessed with the
gift of music. He played a vari-
ety of musical instruments, in-
cluding piano, flute, harmonica
and drums. He was an excel-
lent vocalist and sang with the
“Rose City Street Corner Sing-
ers, “Sons of Thunder,” as well
as the bass clefs at his church
home. He also was quite the ac-
tor, performing locally in live
theatre productions as well as a
children’s video. He hosted a lo-
cal jazz show at KBOO radio for
a number of years.
He worked and served in the
Keith James
Larome James of Portland, seven
grandchildren; one aunt, Virgin-
ia Crockett of Portland; and two
uncles, Charles Baldwin of Sac-
ramento and Robert Baldwin of
Portland.
He also leaves his brothers and
sisters of the Aftermath Club,
countless friends and other rela-
tives, and one very special friend,
Kathleen of Portland.
Salutes
Martin Luther King Jr.
Catering & Take-Out
Chicken • Pork Ribs • Beef Ribs
Our Specialty: Real Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Q
Arnold Anthony Pitre
In Loving Memory
A memorial service was held
Sunday in Portland for Keith
James, a long time resident who
died recently in California.
He was born May 30, 1965 to
Herman and Charlene James in
Redding, Calif. He was born with
a twin brother, Kenneth.
Keith loved motorcycles, and
was active member in the After-
math Motorcycle Club of Sacra-
mento until failing health caused
him to retire.
He leaves to mourn his moth-
er, Charlene James of Portland;
brothers, Kenneth James (Brid-
get) of Sacramento, and John
“JJ” Allen of Portland; sisters,
Nadine Washington and Thel-
ma Johnson, both of Portland;
three sons, Keith Jr., Larry and
Page 27
community in many ways. He
worked at Nabisco, Freightliner,
and for the IRS as an auditor for
a time before launching his own
business “Pitre & Sons painting/
contracting services.” Along the
way he was also a property man-
ager for the Oregon Association
of Minority Entrepreneurs, a
Section 8 inspector for the Hous-
ing Authority of Portland, and a
field operations manager for S.
Brooks and Associates.
He leaves to cherish pre-
cious memories his wife Judi;
his mother Wilma Lee Pitre; his
sister Diane Jackson; brother-in-
law Sam Jackson; his brother Bil-
ly Pitre; and sister-in-law Geri;
his four sons Kevin, Anthony,
William, & Tyrone; daughter-
in-laws, Angela, Casey, Devon,
and Rebecca; grandkids, Angel-
ique, Antonio, Alexis, Jazmine,
Tymone, Izaiah, Eric, Kainnen,
Xayvier, Aspyn, Kylea, Alaisha,
Jaleyah, La’Rayea, Kahmari,
Neveah, Aniyah, Rashad, Kier-
ra, and Nasren; nephew Michael
(Julie) Rahsaan and niece Erica
(Sam) West. He was a beloved
family member and also leaves
a host of cousins, aunts, uncles,
and friends to cherish his mem-
ory.
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