James B. Irsfeld Jr.

Irsfeld, James B.
April 3, 1912 - November 23, 2010
James B. Irsfeld Jr., 98, of Malibu and Sherman Oaks, CA, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 23. He was born in Hollywood, California on April 3, 1912 and is pre-deceased by his wife of 60 years, Billie Marie, who died on June 2, 1997 and his Granddaughter Katherine Michelle who passed away on September 26, 1971 at the age of 2 1/2 . He is survived by his four children: Peter James Irsfeld and wife Carol Ann of Anchorage AK, Michael Anthony Irsfeld and wife Leslie of Colorado Springs CO and Indian Harbor Beach FL, Sally Ann Considine and husband James of Arcadia CA and J. Cristopher Irsfeld and wife Caroline of Stockbridge MA, fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.
Jim attended local schools in Hollywood and graduated from Fairfax High with High Honors at age 16. He attended Stanford University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1933. He received his Law Degree from USC Law School in 1936. While at USC Jim was Editor of the Southern California Law Review, member of Order of the Coif and has his name in bronze for having the top scholarship average. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1936 and joined his fathers law practice.
He served in the Army infantry from 1942 to 1946. At his time of discharge he held the rank of Captain. Jim was a life-long athlete who was very competitive. He played both football and baseball for Stanford. After graduation from Law school he played one season of Semi-Pro rugby for a team owned by actor Victor McLaughlin. For years he had a standing weekly (schedules permitting) squash game with friends John Wayne, Ward Bond and Regis Toomey, followed by dinner and a poker night. His real passion though was for the game of golf. He literally grew up at Lakeside Golf Club of Hollywood (in 1924 his father James Sr. was a founder and builder of the club). He was a low handicap player all of his life and enjoyed at least three rounds a week into his 90s. In 1969 at the ripe old age of 57, Jim won the no handicap club championship in a 36 hole finale. In 1976 he served as President of Lakeside.
For years Jim was managing partner of his Law firm, Irsfeld, Irsfeld and Younger. He was an expert in banking law and was a principal in the founding of two banks.
Mr. Irsfeld served on many boards of directors, but he most enjoyed the work he did for his community. He served as President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President of the Hollywood Kiwanis Club and most proudly as Chairman of the St. Joseph Medical Center Institute and President of the Hospitals Advisory Board, and later on the Providence Saint Joseph Foundation Board of Governors.
Jim had a lifelong love affair with the Pacific Ocean and enjoyed the time he spent at his home in Malibu. He loved long walks on the beach with his dog and a pipe filled with good tobacco. All of his family, who adored him, agree that his was a life well lived.

Honoring his request, services are limited to family only, and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beagles and Buddies, 2661 Strozier Ave., El Monte, CA 91732. www.beaglesandbuddies.com