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James Tashima Obituary
August 5, 1947 - September 3, 2021
Sacramento, California - Jim (Tash) was born in Turlock, California, and passed away from a sudden heart attack in Sacramento, California at age 74.
Described by his granddaughter as "kind, smart, and warm like the sun", Jim was born to Takayuki and Frances Tashima, and grew up on a Central Valley farm with his younger sister, along with a menagerie of animals including lots of cats, a possum, Brownie the dog, Bambi the calf, and Gigi the goose. A football player and band geek at Livingston High School, he later graduated from University of the Pacific. Having sworn to never have anything to do with farming again, he subsequently spent several years working on agricultural projects with the Peace Corps in Lesotho and Botswana, where he met his British wife, Mary.
Jim and Mary returned to California, eventually settling in Sacramento where they raised two children and several cats of varying girth. Jim worked at the California Department of Social Services for 42 years. For several decades he also consulted internationally, working on every continent except Antarctica. Jim was an active member of the community, as a board member of Ruth Rosenberg Dance Studio, board member of Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, volunteer builder of Sierra 2's first playground, and expert pancake flipper for Bret Harte Elementary's Pancake Breakfast. His grace, wisdom, quick smile, unfailing reserve of good humor, and deep sense of instinctive empathy will be missed by all; his love of brass bands and fragrant kimchi will be missed by some.
Jim was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Purvis; his son Robert (Amanda Pearson); his daughter Jean (Geoff Price) and granddaughter Lyra Price; his sister Susan (Val) Toppenberg and their children, Alec and Kelly; sister-in-law Jean (John) Robson and their children, Hazel, Stella, Paul and Elaine. He also leaves behind his beloved cousins and a host of dear friends worldwide.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Sunday, October 24, 2021. Please email [email protected] for details. Just like Jim, it will be colorful, relaxed and informal. Masks required. Donations may be made in his memory to Sacramento SPCA (sspca.org) or the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (sierra2.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Tashima
3 Entries
Stephen l Spellman
July 4, 2022
Jim was my housemate in Gaberones, Botswana. I have wondered all these years what ever happened to my dear friend. We worked together at the Ministry of Agriculture. I have wonderful memories of all the great things we did together. He taught me to cook some family recipes. I found this site because I just discovered a place to reconnect with former Peace Corps Volunteers.
Christina Cervantes
October 19, 2021
Jim was a mentor, co-worker and friend who shared so many interesting stories and wise insights......There is no question that he has made his mark on our society and will be missed forever.
Susan Uhrhammer Brower
September 19, 2021
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing, my high school friend and comrade at LHS. Since we were seated alphabetically in many classes, I was right behind/next to him for four years. Jim ("T" to us in high school) was always polite, fun, diligent, a stalwart friend. I remember when he broke his right arm, he was back in school the next day, learning to write with his left.
So many years have passed since high school. The last time I saw him was when he visited me in Gottingen, Germany, where I was an exchange student. If I remember correctly, he had been in Chad doing Peace Corps work, and was relocated, able to fly through Frankfurt on his way. Such good memories.
May he rest in peace, and heartfelt condolences to all his family.
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