JOHN WALKER JAMES

John Walker James passed away peacefully on March 1, 2015 in his home in Grass Valley. He was 91. John was born on November 15, 1923 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to William and Martha James. He had 5 brothers and 5 sisters and at 14, moved to CA to live with his oldest brother Jimmy. He attended high school in Los Angles and then earned his AA from Compton College. In 1942 John joined the Navy and flew as a PBY gunner, based at Whidbey Island. He met his lovely wife Florence Osincup in 1944 in Hawaii where they both served as aviation mechanics. John said: “The best thing that ever happened to me was going into the Navy and meeting Flo.” In 1945 they separated from the Navy, married in 1946, and moved to San Andreas. John and Flo built their home and later a cabin in the Sierras which remains a family treasure. It was also in San Andreas that they raised their children, Al, Ken, and Karen. In 1981 they designed a home that their son Ken built, and moved to Valley Springs. John retired as Project Manager from the Calaveras Cement plant in 1986 after 40 years as a civil engineer. In 2014 John and Flo moved to their current residence in Grass Valley. John had many interests and skills. He was a pilot, a golfer with a hole in one on his resume, an artist, and an amazing woodworker. He will live forever in the hundreds of beautiful projects cherished by his family. They loved to travel and have a map with pins in virtually every continent, representing visits by John and Flo. John was a member of the historical society and was a key player in the renovation of the “Red Barn” in San Andreas. John was a patriot who proudly displayed the American Flag at his home and cabin. But most of all, he was a man who loved and was loved by his family. There was nothing more important to him. He was an incredible family man and the proud patriarch of the “James Gang”. He will be forever remembered and loved. A celebration of his life will be held this summer. John is survived by his wife of 69 years, Florence James of Grass Valley, California; sons, Al James (Mary) of Reno, Nevada and Ken James (Trisha) of San Andreas, California; daughter, Karen James-Baltzell (Bill) of Penn Valley, California; four grandchildren Tyler James, Lindsey James, Krista (Baltzell) Feagans (Mike), Jamie (Baltzell) Slough (Clay)and one great grandchild Tayvin Slough. Arrangements are under the care of Chapel of the Angels Mortuary in Grass Valley (530) 273-2446.

JOHN WALKER JAMES

November 15, 1923 - March 1, 2015