James Ware Stauffer

1945 - 2021

James (Jim) Ware Stauffer
December 6, 1945 - October 21, 2021
Jim Stauffer was born to Jocqueline and Maury Stauffer on December 6, 1945. Jim grew up on the bay around his family's home on Balboa Island. He lettered in swimming and water polo at Newport Harbor High School. He attended the University of Oregon and graduated in accounting from San Diego State University. Out of college, he worked at Ernst and Ernst and left after a couple of years for a permanent life-guarding position at Newport.
Jim began life-guarding as a teenager. He made lifelong friends among the life-guarding families at Newport, Laguna and ultimately as co-head of Lifeguard International Beach Services. Jim and his close friend Dick Johnson distinguished themselves as heads of LIBS, the first private lifeguard company to serve the Orange County beaches. Jim was proud to have spent 27 summers life-guarding.
In the early 1970s, Jim was asked to help a sick harbor seal. Jim's big heart for all creatures made his decision to bring the fragile seal home an obvious one. From that point on, Jim was the go-to person to help with sick and injured sea creatures along the Orange County coast. With the help of an amazing crew of volunteers, he formed the Friends of the Sea Lion organization. He forged bonds with the City of Laguna Beach and was so proud of the facility and organization that has grown into the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
In the mid-'90s Jim moved to Petaluma with his wife Lynn and their three kids Natalie, Clark and Weston. He was a devoted dad and was so very proud of his kids. He recently became a grand daddy. Jim and Lynn celebrated their many happy years together and their 35th wedding anniversary in 2020. For the past 25 years Jim was a broker specializing in Sonoma County residential property. He always went far and above to help his clients - he loved making people happy. Over the past decade he volunteered at Wilson and Liberty Schools. His Bridge Class was a hit for the fourth-sixth graders. Boating continued to be Jim's favorite past time as he spent many hours on the Petaluma River.
Jim shared so many great stories – many seemed impossibly made-up only to be confirmed by his co-conspirators. Jim's big smile and hearty laugh helped spread good times. His intelligence and hard work (which he always sought to camouflage as great fun) will never be forgotten. The world is a better place because Jim was in it. He will be so very missed by his family, friends and many loved ones. If you wish to donate in Jim's honor, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Petaluma Educational Foundation do work close to Jim's heart.