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James PROFFITT Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for James PROFFITT
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Rudy Haluza, jr.
September 23, 2024
One of the best High School teachers I had. Launched a science, electronics and outdoor adventure for me.
Peter Fox
August 18, 2020
James was a very good man. He taught me lessons in life beyond Algebra. He drove me to the store one day so that I could purchase my first HP 12C calculator. This was after he challenged me in front of my co-students to do better. He believed in me. I am sorry to just now hear of his passing. I know God has a place for him, as he as helped so many of his children.
Ryan T
March 26, 2020
I had the pleasure of being both a student and a teachers aide to Mr. Proffit at El Modena. He was always challenging his students to be the best version of themselves. He also like to laugh, sometimes even at his own kookiness. Hawaiian shirts forever up there, good sir. Thanks for the lessons.
JIMMY villaverde
February 29, 2020
I will miss you teach. I email him saying thanks before he pass away. He help me become a bit of how I am. As an engineer and now developer. He changed my life. he made class fun. gracias profe. muchas gracias. let the lord have you work on math in heaven.
Brent Turner
July 4, 2016
Mr. Proffitt was, frankly, one of the brighter teaching influences in my life. Not only the insane times in the 'famous' electronics room at Villa Park High School, but also the few years I had the honor of being a student in several of his classes at Santa Ana College. One of his 'famous' sayings shall remain with me forever... "A Teenage Delight" - a reference to any surprise film shown in class... That, and the one year he promoted the 'Shortage of Fours' day, where even the clock in the classroom had the number 4 covered over. And yes, after I graduated VP, I too would occasionally 'drop in' to the 'room'. Thank you, James E Proffitt, Jr for the zest and zeal.
Debbie Gibson (Deming)
July 1, 2013
Always a friend to the end. You will be missed
Laura Wickline
June 29, 2013
He was a great math teacher- I never thought I'd get precalculus and I did, with a bit of a struggle.
Jim Cunningham
November 18, 2012
Mr. Proffitt (I will forever address him as I did a student) popped into my mind yesterday, as he does from time to time. A quick Internet search delivered the sad news of his passing. I can only imagine the grief his family must feel – I still don't know what to do with my own sadness. He had a tremendous influence on me, and was an outstanding teacher. He was tough, but taught me to be methodical and thorough, which has served me well in my career as an engineer. But what remains most vivid in my mind was his zest for life. And while an outstanding teacher, some of my favorite memories of his electronics class were not exactly academic;
• He wore sunglasses while teaching during Jazz Week (as he declared it to be) and played legendary standards through his mega-watt Acoustic sound system.
• He sponsored a chili pepper eating contest after school, which probably boosted his soda sales. I proudly held the record for about 12 hours, about as long as I suffered from eating them.
• He offered Shock Therapy to willing students to teach them about capacitive discharge. We held hands in a circle and received a mild and harmless jolt that traveled through the group. As students dropped out of the circle those remaining got a bit more. We couldn't stop laughing.
Mr. Proffitt always had time for my questions, and I found him to be a man of wide-ranging interests. I don't know how he had time for everything he did. I visited Mr. Proffitt years after graduating VPHS to tell him that I had enrolled in engineering at Cal Poly. He seemed genuinely pleased, thanked me for stopping by and cycled off for his after school ride. Can there be any greater accomplishment for a teacher than to inspire a student? Well done, Mr. Proffitt.
Dave Ford
October 13, 2012
Wow, I just stumbled across Jim's obituary today. He was my algebra II teacher in 1981-1982, and his class impacted me significantly ... leading to my degree in math and my career as a software developer. For several years, I imitated his penchant for "once-a-year haircuts", & I still find myself using some of his verbal phrases. Rest in peace, Jim.
Duane Peltier
September 25, 2012
Jim and I knew each other for 56 years. He was my best friend. We both taught and I consider him one of the best teachers I have ever known. His lessons were always clear and to the point. Even when we were young. He gave me a gift which at the time I did not recognize. One night, after some limited partying, he asked me to play my bassoon. My cheeks turned red. I was shy about doing this. He turned up the heat and said, "If you can't do this for a friend how will you ever do it for people you do not know?" He was, of course, correct. I had two careers in music. First as a performing musician then as a teacher. Thank you Jim. I learned many things from you through the years. You were always a teacher. I shall miss my friend forever.
John Silzel
September 21, 2012
A teacher, then friend and mentor whose advice and example continues to have a huge impact on my life and career. Taught me I could do math, taught me circuits, got me into ham radio, taught me I could ride a bicycle as far as I wanted to go (and dropped me a few times in the middle of nowhere, mercilessly but kindly, to help get that lesson across). I've leaned on his encouragement and what he taught me about stamina, sweat, and fun through a lot of life! Kristen and family, I share in your grief, but with gratitude for the gift you all have left with me.
Joe Stack (1984)
September 19, 2012
Somewhere I still have a pencil with the words "Math God" stamped on the side. Those were hard to come by. Mr. Proffitt was a great teacher and made learning math fun. My sympathy to his family.
David Lawrence
September 17, 2012
Jim and I taught next door to each other at VPHS for many years. Jim in Electronics and myself in Drafting. Jim was extremely bright but above all else he made teaching fun with so many laughs together as colleagues. Jim was non stop active in his life. I will always remember Jim's response when I asked him, "when do you rest?" His answer, "There will always be time to rest in the grave." God Bless Jim, you will be missed and always remembered!
David Lawrence
Former VPHS Colleague
Still Remember the Relay Project and TI Computer
Keith Loritz
September 17, 2012
My favorite, and best, teacher at Villa Park High School. He had the most effect on my decision to become an engineer. Very logical and always straightforward in all things. He was an excellent role model for his students. I always looked forward to being in his electronics class every year in HS.
Pat Perry/Amling
September 17, 2012
I was very saddened to hear about Jim. My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to all of his family. We were classmates in HS.
Deborah Deming Gibson
September 17, 2012
He was always a good guy. He helped whomever he could and ask for nothing in return. God bless you Jim, til' we meet again.
September 17, 2012
Dan Flanagan
September 17, 2012
My sincere and deepest condolences to Jim's family. Jim and i were classmates at Rancho Alamitos High School.Class of 1959.
Michael Busse
September 16, 2012
I will always remember walking into electronics class at VPHS and seeing Mr. Proffitt hanging from the ceiling in his climbing gear! Class of '86
Anne Afshar
September 13, 2012
Kristen and family: my sincere sympathy for your sudden loss. I know it must be such a shock to you and my prayers are with you
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