James M. "Jim" Klain

1922 - 2022

June 24, 1922 - September 24, 2022 James Maynard "Jim" Klain, who worked at UCLA in the theater department and was a longtime manager of the school's Royce Hall, died Sept. 24 in the Van Nuys house in which he lived for more than seven decades. He was 100.
Known to many as "Jimmy," he was born June 24, 1922 in Norway, Maine, the fifth of six children to Ashkenazi Jewish parents. At the age of 8, he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where his father had found work during the Great Depression. Jim worked at the family poultry market while going to school, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1939.
After high school, Jim attended UCLA as an English/Drama major, and soon became involved in theater productions on campus, a passion that would lead to his later career. In 1943, Jim joined the Navy's prestigious College Training Program, and was commissioned as a lieutenant. He served during World War II on a repair ship, the Egeria, in the Pacific, and was engaged in major battles at Leyte Gulf, Tinian, and Okinawa. In 1946 he was discharged.
Jim moved back to Los Angeles in 1947, accepting a job in UCLA's nascent Theater Arts Department as stage manager for Royce Hall. He would also meet Lois Klain (nee Muenze), and the couple soon married and raised three children.
Over the course of a 37-year career in which he became director of CASO (Campus Activities Service Office), responsible for all public events at UCLA, Jim worked with luminaries in the fields of drama, music and politics. He hosted events for Zubin Mehta, the Shah of Iran, then-Senator John Kennedy, President Lyndon Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Igor Stravinsky and many more.
Upon retirement, he stayed active on the UCLA campus as an emeritus staff member, and he published a book on Royce Hall. A lifelong Bruins fan, he and Lois attended countless basketball games at Pauley Pavilion and football games at the Rose Bowl. He enjoyed listening to classical music, watching Jeopardy and engaging anyone in a lengthy political discussion over a vodka tonic.
Jim spent his retirement traveling with his wife – London was a favorite destination – and visiting his 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. In his later years, he enjoyed tending the fruit trees in his backyard and reading.
He is survived by his wife, Lois "Loey" Klain; children Robin Brown (Steve), Daniel Klain (Beth) and Matthew Wolfklain (Lisa); and dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 17. Those who wish to attend should contact a family member for details.