James “Ed” Brookshier of Hermiston passed away in Portland on Oct. 4, 2025 at the age of 79.
He was born on July 16, 1946 in Springfield, Mo. to James and Doris Hunter Brookshier.
Ed grew up in Ash Grove, Mo., where he graduated from Ash Grove High School in the class of 1964. He then attended Missouri State, where he received his bachelor’s degree in English.
Ed taught school for a short time in Missouri. He decided that he would take his career another direction and took a job in city administration in Claremont, N.H. He later took a job as a city manager in O’Fallon, Mo., where he worked for several years. In 1991 he took a job as the city manager in Hermiston. He held the city manager position in Hermiston for 23 years until retiring in 2014.
Ed married Alberta “Bert” Leverett in St. Charles, Mo. on April 23, 1985.
Ed enjoyed reading and writing poetry, reading books, going to local wineries and festivals, watching college sports and watching movies.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Alberta “Bert”; daughter, Alene Brookshier; grandson, Holden Brookshier; brother, John Brookshier; and two nephews, Casey and Hunter Brookshier.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 at Burns Mortuary Chapel, 685 W. Hermiston Ave.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
