James Thomas Franey

1915 - 2006

James Thomas Franey Jim, J.T. April 21, 1915 January 8, 2006 Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on January 13, 2006 at Our Lady of Perpetual Church. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery. Jim was born in Bakersfield on April 21, 1915 to Charles Henry and Winifred Marie Franey. His parents were early settlers in the city of Bakersfield, and his father was responsible for establishing a banking clearing house for the local banks in Kern County, a procedure that expedited commercial transactions in the business community. Jim was the second of five boys, all of whom served their country during World War II. On February l5, l941 Jim married Dorothy Mary Ross, a former classmate in his freshman Latin class - although at that time neither one knew that the other existed. Their romance of 60 years ended with his beloved Dorothy's passing. James was also proceeded in death by his brothers Joseph, Charles, John, and Francis; son, James F. Franey; daughter, Mary Teresa Franey; grandchild Terri Ann Webdell; great-grandchildren Nathan James Webdell and Nolan James Eugene Schrader. Jim is survived by his brother, Gerald Patrick Franey; sister-in-law, Bunty Stirling; and, his children and their spouses: Marilyn Jett , Kathleen and Jim Webdell, Phil and Dina Franey, Richard T. and Kari Franey, Dennis and Stephanie Franey, John and Susan Franey, also numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Jim attended St. Francis grammar school, Kern County Union High School, Bakersfield College, and St. Mary's College at Moraga. While in high school, he participated in sports and was on the Central Valley championship football team, known as the Sandabs. He also played in the high school band and was a participant in two Rose parades. In the state band contest, the Bakersfield Band won third place which was considered pretty good for a little town such as Bakersfield was at that time. While a student at Bakersfield Junior College, he served a term as president of the associated men's students. Jim's claim to fame was his nomination to "all southern conference quarterback" in the southern Junior College football League. In May of 1938 he finished his academic career at St. Mary's College with a degree in Economics and Business Administration. His non-scholastic activities while at St. Mary's were confined to intramural sports, and circulation manager of the school paper, The Collegian. One of Jim's first jobs after graduating from college was working as a bookkeeper for the Coca-Cola bottling Co. of Bakersfield, a position which was interrupted by a tour of duty in the U. S. Navy. After the war he returned to his former job and rose to the position of assistant manger. For the next sixteen years, he was a partner in Franey Brothers Public Accounting with his brother Joseph. Jim then became employed by the County of Kern Auditor-Controller Office as an accountant. Soon thereafter, he became the Audit Chief of the County of Kern, a position from which he retired in August 1978. During the years 1948-1949 plans were made to build Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and grammar school. Jim was appointed by Monsignor Joseph Smith, to be the treasurer of the building committee. Before the Golden Years slowed his pace, Jim was very active in Garces High School functions, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church activities. He was a Life member in the Knights of Columbus and a charter member of the local St. Vincent De Paul Society. Jim took care of the financial affairs of the St. Vincent De Paul Society for many years. He also served as a Kern County Commissioner on Aging in addition to other civic activities. As for his children, our story is not complete unless we share with you some of Dad's most fond interests - the cabins in the mountains, dove hunting, Basque food, Western Movies, Smith's Bakery goods, Dewar's Candy and Ice Cream, his homemade pickled tongue, and '30s-'40s classical swing music. He was always very interested in our universe including astronomy, global events, and local news. In tune, alert, and interested in his world, all we can say is "that was our Dad." He had a definite appreciation and command of the English language - both written and oral. As Dad had said many times and we quote, "I am most proud of my children". Dad had a great sense of humor and an exceptional wit. Dad's words of wisdom that he shared with us were, "When God sticks out his hand - grab it and don't let go." While holding onto that hand over the years, Dad had made many sacrifices to provide for his family and support his church with a "quiet love" and "intense determination." Pallbearers will be his grandsons Steven Webdell, Thomas Webdell, Jeffrey Webdell, Shane Jett, Jonathan Franey, and James Franey. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donation be made to a charity of choice. Hopson - Anspach Family Mortuary Legacy.com