James Warren Abicht

Services will be Saturday for James Warren Abicht who passed away September 22, 2009 at his Santa Cruz home. He was 80.

James was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. As a boy he spent summers on his uncle's cattle ranch in Sherman, Texas, or at his grandfather's in Dairyland, California or in Burbank, riding horses in Griffith Park. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 where he was stationed at White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico, which was the initial U.S. Government Rocket Program. Following his military service Jim began working for Castle & Cooke's Dole Pineapple Division as a purchasing agent. While at Dole he was instrumental in developing protocols for standardized labeling and also helped establish direct contracts with the Japanese who manufactured the materials used to make cans and who provided printing services. He always enjoyed his years at Dole and viewed his co-workers like family. After 18 years with Dole, Jim went to work for Santa Clara County in purchasing, supporting transit and also worked on the development of their commercial food processing. In what ever position he held, Jim brought intelligence and experience, always seeking ways to improve the work experience for those he supported. He will always be remembered for his dry wit, good humor, and kindness. Jim was a devoted family man and had a strong faith in God.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Murphy; five children, Jill Homer and her husband Mark, Deborah Marston and her husband Dean, James Abicht and his wife, Renee, Denise Zent and her husband Bill and John Abicht; nine grandchildren, Steven and Kristina Homer, Lindsay, Kelsey, James and Robert Marston, Brian and Kevin Abicht and Cameron Abicht. He is also survived by three great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA Saturday September 26, 2009 at 10:00 am. A private entombment will be at Santa Cruz Memorial Park.