James Joseph Harris

1914 - 2011

James Joseph
Harris
7/27/1914 - 3/08/2011


Jim's life journey began in Bremerton, Wash., and throughout his life he lived in So. San Francisco, Oregon, Kentucky, and Sunnyvale Calif. Jim's early life included a stint as a semi-professional football player, after which he was recruited to play college football for Humboldt State. While a student at Humboldt, Jim met and fell in love with Virginia Torp; the two were married on June 16, 1939 and what followed were 52 wonderful years of marriage until Virginia passed away in 1991.
Jim worked for Standard Oil for forty years during which time he worked his way up to the Executive level, retiring in 1977 as the Regional Manager of Transportation of the Western United States. During his tenure with Standard Oil, Jim also owned and operated a jewelry store in South San Francisco. Jim was known as a true renaissance man, whose interests ranged from gardening and golf, to history and traveling. Jim was also an excellent cook who enjoyed making homemade pasta and sauces, wonderful holiday meals, and obtained complete mastery of all things BBQ. Jim was active in his church and very involved with his community as a member of multiple charitable organizations and as a lifetime member of the Elks.
Above all, Jim was a family man - as beloved husband, father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, Jim's kindness, generosity, and genuine enthusiasm for life was an inspiration to us all. Jim is survived by his brother Robert Harris of Santa Rosa; his daughter Suzanne Harris of Auburn; son Jim and daughter-in-law Vicki of Auburn; grandson Jim and his wife Jenny, and great grandchildren Cooper and Holden of Rocklin; grandson David and his wife Jessemy and great grandchildren Dylan and Mia of Petaluma.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service- celebration of life on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 12 p.m. noon at LIMA & CAMPAGNA SUNNYVALE MORTUARY, 1315 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale. Reception to follow at the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church.
In his memory, donations may be made to Virginia Torp Harris Scholarship Fund, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA. 95521-8299.