James Rutledge Oraker, son of Rutledge and Mary Oraker, was born on July 25, 1940, in Bremerton, WA. He peacefully departed this life into his heavenly home on September 2, 2025. Jim and Judith Ann Raikko, daughter of Oliver and Helen Raikko, started dating in high school in 1958 and were married on September 17, 1960, in Bremerton, WA. Jim and Judy have three children: Jeff (and wife, Stacy), a lawyer in Denver, CO; Jennifer Holz (and husband, Adam), a pastor in Carmel by the Sea, CA; and Jason, a lawyer in Winston-Salem, NC. Jim graduated from Seattle Pacific University (B.A. in English), Fuller Seminary (Master of Divinity), and the Fuller School of Psychology (Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology).
Jim always felt called to help people and maintained a life-long pursuit of integrating theology and psychology. As a clinical psychologist, Jim was an ethics professor and dean of faculty at the University of the Rockies. He also served as an adjunct professor for Fuller Seminary and Denver Seminary, was a feedback specialist at the Center for Creative Leadership, and ran his own counseling practice. Jim served as president of the Colorado Psychological Association, president and ethics chair of the Pikes Peak Psychological Association, and chairperson for the American Psychological Association Colleague Assistance Advisory Committee.
In 1971, Jim helped found and was the first clinical director of Young Life’s Dale House Project, a ministry focused on second chances for troubled teens in Colorado Springs, CO, where the family moved in 1973. Jim was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. He enjoyed research and writing as well as producing lay-counselor training materials. Jim authored a book for families with adolescents, Almost Grown, as well as several psychological articles. Jim was known for his kind and gentle spirit and his gift of encouragement and seeing possibilities in difficult situations. He was also known for his delightful humor, his enthusiasm for sports, and his appreciation of music. Faith and family were his top priorities. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his family as a grateful and loving husband, father and grandpa.
He is survived by: his brother Roger Oraker (and wife, Verna Rae) of Bremerton, WA; his sisters Marilyn Hoots (and husband, Bill) of Welton, AZ, and Barbara Lawson (and husband, Dale) of Greenacres, WA; and their families.
Jim and Judy were married for more than 64 years and have five grandchildren: Zach, Katie, Henry, Annabeth and Maggie. Many thanks to the Springs Ranch Memory Care staff and the Brighton Hospice Care Team for their exceptional care of Jim.
A Memorial Service will be held on November 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs. Donations in honor of Jim can be made to The Dale House Project, 7 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.