JONESBORO and LUBEC – James M. Prout, 71, passed away Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at Eisenhower Medical Center, in Palm Springs, Calif. He was born Aug. 27, 1938, in Portland, son of Sherwood and Bessie (Anderson) Prout. Jim graduated from Lubec High School, Class of 1958 and attended the University of Maine, Orono. James married his beloved and devoted wife of 49 years, Hope A. Lingley, Oct. 15, 1960, in Lubec. Together they had a family of six children, Debi, Traci, Troy, Brad, Darren and Beth. After attending school, Jim worked for his brother for a number of years until he started his first business in Lubec, Blue Bird Ranch. The ranch has a number of different types of businesses, the first being farming blueberry fields in Washington County and hen farms in Lubec and Jonesboro. In the late 1970s, Jim began his trucking business in Jonesboro. The 1990s were a growing year for his company, as dry and cold storage warehouses were built in Jonesboro, and the business expanded the warehousing storage to also include a location in Baring. The trucking, blueberry and warehouse businesses are run by James and his three sons. Another business expansion was the purchase of Graham’s Restaurant in 1996. This restaurant is known as The Blue Bird Ranch Family Restaurant. In 2004, Jim helped his son, Brad, open Barren View Golf Course. His latest business venture was manufacturing Norumbega Blue Blueberry Vingarette dressing and jam made in Maine with wild Maine blueberries with his daughter, Bethany. He was a member of Washington Lodge No. 37 Free Mason AF & AM; Scotish Rite 32 Degree; Anah Temple Shire; Washington County Shrine Club; Lubec Lions Club; Jonesboro Grange, 50-year member; past Lubec and Jonesboro selectman; and Machias Savings Bank corporator. He was an honorary member of Anah Temple Mini Car Unit. In 1985, he was recognized for his outstanding support of the Shriners Hospital by Imperial Potentate Gene Bracewell. In June 2007, he was recognized by Veterans of Foreign War of the U.S. with a gold medal merit. Jim was very well known for his charitable givings; land gifts to the Washington County Lodge No. 37 and Down East Fair Grounds. He also provided great resources for Wreaths Across America, Jonesboro Grange, Jonesboro Church, Anah Temple Shrine and many others. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Sherwood; father-in-law, Emerson Pat Kelley; and son-in-law, Michael E. Sanborn. James is survived by his loving wife, Hope Prout of Jonesboro; daughters, Debra J. Sternbergh and her husband, William, Traci L. Sanborn and her friend, Ed Hennessey, and Bethany S. Prout-Foss and her husband, Rickey; sons, Troy M. Prout and his wife, Robin, Brad E. Prout and his wife, Shannon, and Darren J. Prout and his wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Jarred Sternbergh, Arianna Sanborn, Nevan and Danika Foss, Tyler Prout, Jocelyn and Makayla Prout, and Carson Prout; mother-in-law, Eva M. Kelley; brothers-in-law, Eugene Lingley and his wife, Jean, and Mark Kelley and his friend, Linda; sister-in-law, Brenda Prout; a special “daughter,” Marilyn Hughes; special “grandchildren,” Brooke Clay, Stefan Holl, Maya Vyssokikh, McCartney Blake, Kaiden Preston and Miranda Copeland; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will take place 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at Machias Valley Baptist Church, Machias, with Pastor Jeff Henderson and Pastor Bernard Brown officiating. After the service, a gathering will be held at the church. In James’ name, donations may be made to Springfield Shriners Hospital, care of Transportation Fund, 516 Carew, Springfield, MA 01104-2396.
JAMES M. PROUT
