Joseph Roscoe Himes Jr.

Joseph Roscoe Himes Jr

November 4th, 1930 - October 7th, 2024

Joseph R Himes Jr passed peacefully, of natural causes, surrounded by family on Monday, October 7, 2024. Joe's positive, never-give-up life perspective was exemplified by a great fortitude to fend off illness, while never losing the quick wit, sense of humor, sharp intellect, and devotion to his family, which were the hallmarks of who he was and what he most valued in life.

Joe was born in Denver, Colorado on November 4, 1930, to the late Joseph R Himes Sr and Mary Irene Campbell Himes, and his early life was spent near and in Henderson, CO, with the family's working sheep and other livestock business, affectionately known by all as 'The Farm.' Joe graduated from Brighton High School in 1948 and the University of Northern Colorado, earning a business degree and teaching certification while working to put himself through College as the first in his family to do so. He was on both the football and wrestling teams in college and, was a founding member of the UNC chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

After graduating from college, Joe taught Economics and accounting at Brighton High School, and coached wrestling. He also worked as a Tour Guide throughout the western US and Canada, which brought him to California. After college, Joe also discovered his love of, and talent for Alpine Skiing, which led to a lifetime of enjoyment and adventure on most of the great mountains in the US and Canada as a ski racer, teacher and member of the mountain Ski Patrol at Winter Park, CO. Joe's ski adventure stories included off-piste skiing down Loveland pass, skiing out of avalanches and on glaciers tethered to others in Canada, as well as skiing down California Street in San Francisco and 5th Avenue in New York after rare urban snow storms. His love of skiing also brought him the Love of his life and wife, Jacqueline Grace Secail, whom he met while all attending the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley, CA.

Joe and Jacquie fell quickly in love, became engaged a few months after meeting, and were married in April 1961. They spent the next 63 years with Joe making Jacquie 'laugh at least once a day.' Their favorite times were spent with family, and they enjoyed a lifetime of dancing together as members of The Burlingame Cotillion. Joe and Jacquie loved to travel together, seeing Nassau, Acapulco, Mexico City, and many US states, where their favorite trips were to Boston and New York. They also enjoyed time in Europe together with family in France and seeing many of Joe's favorite WWII and culturally significant cities in England, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.

Joe's other passion was the securities industry and he started his career as a stockbroker at the time of his marriage to Jacquie with Shearson Hammill & Co., where he trained in New York for one year and developed a love of the city, particularly his favorite St. Patrick's Cathedral, where he often attended mass adjacent to a young senator from Massachusetts named John F .Kennedy.

Joe's career evolved to senior management and compliance roles and he earned a Certified Financial Planner accreditation through study at USC and Fairfield University. Joe retired a Vice President with Wells Fargo after a 53-year career, during which he was known as a fiduciary with high integrity, who would treat clients of all walks and account sizes with respect and attention. Joe enjoyed involvement with professional associations, including the San Francisco Bond Club, and he enjoyed his long-time membership at The Olympic Club. Joe served on the Board of Directors of the University of Northern Colorado Foundation and assisted the admissions office of the business school there.

Although Joe was enthused to pursue professional, social, and athletic achievements, his most prized and prioritized roles in life were as a husband, father, family member, community leader, and friend to all who needed him. In the early 1960's, Joe was an avid competitive sailor on the SF bay, but he soon decided to trade in his sailing time to instead enjoy time with his young family around kid's school involvements and starting in 1971, time at "The Cabin" in Northwest Lake Tahoe - Homewood. There they enjoyed years of almost every weekend snow skiing or water skiing with their children Gary and Andrea and many friends and extended family. Summers were spent as members of Chamberlands Beach and Mountain Club and boating excursions on the Lake. Joe also spent as much time as possible coaching, fundraising for, and attending baseball, softball, basketball, cross country games, tennis matches, and track meets, as well as school plays, dance recitals, Indian Guide trips, and all other school activities.

Joe is and will always be Loved and greatly missed. He was a true Patriarch and loved his family deeply to the end. He is survived by his loving wife Jacquie Himes, and his two children Gary J Himes (Elke,) and Andrea M Himes. Joe also leaves behind many beloved Cousins, and friendships he cherished.

The Himes family would like to express their deep gratitude to Joe's devoted caregivers and now close friends and family members, Emily and Noralyn. Also, to our priest, Father Michael Mahoney, for his steadfast support and loving spiritual guidance to us all during Joe's life and upon his passing.

A Funeral Mass and celebration of Joe's life will be held on Friday, October 25th at 11:00am at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1721 Hillside Dr, Burlingame, CA 94010. All who loved Joe and friends of the family are welcome.

Instead of flowers, please consider remembering Joe by supporting The University of Northern Colorado Foundation, with gifts designated specifically to either: (a). The Monfort College of Business Scholarship, or (b) Blue and Gold Area of Greatest Need (Athletics.)