James Daniel Barsotti

JAMES DANIEL BARSOTTI

Mr. Barsotti was born on June 6, 1927, to William and Irene Barsotti in Sanger, CA. He passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2006, after losing a second battle with cancer. During WWII, in his senior year at Sanger High School, Jim joined the U.S. Merchant Marines. Being only 17 years old, he was too young to join the U.S. Marine Corps which was his goal. On the night which was to have been his high school graduation night, he was aboard ship during a battle in the Pacific. As soon as he became 18, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served a tour of duty in the Occupational Forces in Japan. When his tour was over, he stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve and returned to Sanger where he received his G.E.D. from Sanger High. As many returning service men did, Jim had a number of different jobs. He attended (COS) College of the Sequoias in Visalia where he excelled in playing football. His team won the Valley Championship that year and still gets together yearly to celebrate. Many good and lasting friendships were made at that time. Jim won a football scholarship to University of Southern California, left COS and went south to school and football. However, the Korean Conflict began while he was at USC and he was recalled into the Marine Corps. Jim served as a Drill Instructor at Camp Pendleton until he was assigned to Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marines and sent to Korea. He was Gunnery Sergeant for that Company. Jim was wounded in battle on June 3, 1951, sixty years prior to his death on that same date in June. In 1955, Jim met and married Angelina Poggio. They had three children, Kellee Marie, Katrina Anne and James Michael. While married to "Angie", Jim went into the floral business, in Sanger, with his brother Robert Barsotti. He later became a Financial Planner for IDS/American Express for 35 years. He was elected to the Sanger City Council in 1966, and served until 1978. He became the Mayor of Sanger from 1972 to 1974. He was very proud of being able to participate in accomplishing many civic improvements. Jim's love of young people led him to develop the Pop Warner Football program in Sanger. And, until his death, had many former young football players as adult friends. Jim's marriage to "Angie" ended and several years later, he married Betty Jane Duerksen of Fresno. They were married for 23 years prior to his death and enjoyed many reunions with the "Baker Bandits" and Associated Companies of the United States Marine Corps veterans who had fought together in Korea. Along with their blended family, they also enjoyed many happy gatherings. Jim was preceded in death by his father, mother and grandparents. Jim had an especially strong feeling for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team. One of his great pleasures was in being allowed to help on the line during games while he was well. He adopted each player in his heart, saying that they were the finest bunch of young men around and he thought that Pat Hill's football program was the best anywhere, as the Program stressed academics! The family is very grateful to the doctors, Joishy, Matsubara, Lubinsky, and staff at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center who took such good care of Jim. Thank you also to the staff of Optimal Hospice Care who treated him so kindly and gently in his last hours and who provided for his religious needs. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jane of Fresno: his brother, Robert Barsotti of Fresno; his daughters, Kellee Barsotti and Trina Barsotti of Sanger; his son, James Barsotti and his wife Jeannie of Fresno; his granddaughters, Mary Elizabeth Alvarado, and Ariel Barsotti; and his grandson, Mike Alvarado. Jim is also survived by his stepchildren, Ray Fudge and his wife Amy of Tyler, TX, Kimberly Chambers of Shaver Springs, CA, Carol Hutchings of Monterey, CA, and Kathryn Kliewer-Crum and her husband Richard of Redding, CA. He also loved and enjoyed the company of his seven step grandchildren. Visitation will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on "O" St. in Sanger on Sunday, June 11, 2006 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church on "O" St., in Sanger on Monday, June 12, 2006, at 11:00 a.m., with interment at Sanger Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your favorite charity; or to Optimal Hospice Care, 6770 N. West Ave. Fresno, CA 93711; or to Father Flannagan's Boys Town, 14100 Crawford, Boys Town, NE 68010. WALLIN FUNERAL HOMESSanger, CA 875-6555