James Melvin Sellers

Jim was born April 2, 1947, in Chico, Calif., to James Clifford Sellers and Hazel Mae (Mundell) Sellers. He grew up in Chico, attending Oakdale School (elementary), Chico Jr. High School, and Chico High (class of 1965).

In 1966, Jim chose to join the US Navy when it became apparent he was likely to be drafted. He trained as a Hospital Corpsman, then trained and worked in clinical laboratories at the Naval Hospital in Oakland and the Naval Weapons Station in Concord. He was sent to Vietnam in the first days of 1969. He served in a CAP (Combined Action Program) unit with a USMC contingent for the full year, assisting rural villagers and providing medical care. Jim was honorably discharged days before Christmas 1969. His platoon adopted him as a Marine and called him Doc for the rest of his life.

He married Judy Lynne Smith on June 29, 1968. They had a short time together before he went overseas. When he returned, they lived in Chico, worked at various jobs and on Judy's family almond farm, and both took classes at CSU Chico. Jim studied Biology (emphasis in Microbiology) and Chemistry and graduated from CSUC in 1975. Jim and Judy had their daughters, Valerie and Lindsay, in Chico. The family moved to Madera, Calif, in 1976, where Jim worked at United Vintners winery, then relocated to Modesto, Calif, for a position with Franzia Brothers Winery (it came in bottles then!) in 1978. He went to work for Stanislaus County in 1981 as a health inspector, became a Registered Sanitarian, and ended his career as the Code Enforcement Manager in late 2001. He enjoyed his job and felt proud of his work improving his community and advocating for tenants.

He made the sad decision to retire early when unexplained weakness, first in one arm, then the other, progressed. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2001. Over years, he progressively lost use of his arms, dexterity in his hands, and the ability to walk. He extended his time living independently by years with creative inventions and adaptations that allowed him to do basic tasks of living despite his increasing disability. By 2011, he needed significant help and care, which led to his moving to the VA Community Living Center (CLC) in Livermore.

Jim was predeceased by his loving wife, Judy, who died from a brain hemorrhage in 2001, and both his parents. Jim and Judy were married for 32 years.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Valerie Sellers Blanton of Portland, Oregon, and Lindsay J. Regalo of Modesto; sons-in-law Stephen Blanton and Trey Regalo; four grandchildren, Harrison Grant and Griffin James Blanton and Quinn Judy and Cash George Regalo; his sisters, Beverly Gay of Sacramento and Carolyn Lozensky of Kent, Washington; and many beloved cousins, nephews and niece, sister-in-law, and aunt.

In healthier years Jim had many varied interests, including carpentry and woodworking, restoring a vintage Triumph TR3, playing guitar and bass, softball, golfing, traveling, and riding his Harley-Davidson Softail Custom.

At the VA, Jim discovered painting. He was almost completely paralyzed but devised a method of painting whereby an art therapy volunteer helped him thread a paintbrush through a slit cut in the fingertip of a golf glove and strapped his hand to his leg, which still had some movement. He guided the brush carefully by moving and jiggling his leg to create technically precise and beautiful works of art. It was a distraction he enjoyed for several years, planning designs and techniques in his mind for many hours more than the six hours per week he spent actually painting.

Our family cannot adequately express our gratitude for the care Jim received at the VA CLC. He loved many staff members and clinicians there, and he was loved. He benefited from advanced technology that gave him every possible bit of independence and a connection to the world via a computer he operated with just his voice and his breath. When voluntary movement was no longer possible, he was still able to connect with family and friends online and indulge his interest in genealogy, spending hours researching and making familial connections online. He also learned how to edit music digitally and altered songs he already loved to be even more to his liking. Lindsay spent time with Jim at the VA faithfully, and he cherished her visits.

Jim's journey was a consistently brave, meticulous, and creative one. When his breath and swallow began to fail this year, he turned his attention to preparing for his next big adventure; he broke free of his compromised body to go find out what was next on the night of October 10, 2023, with Lindsay and Valerie by his side. His courage astounded us one last time. Per Dad's request, no funeral or memorial services will be held. If you wish to honor or remember Jim, listen to a great classic rock song, honor a veteran, or pet a cat.