Name: Celebration of Life for James Roger "Jim" Dutra
Start: 2016-04-08T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Valley Catholic Church (Our Lady Help of Christians)

James "Jim" Roger Dutra
July 23, 1946~March 29, 2016
Resident of Watsonville
Jim Roger Dutra passed away at Dominican Hospital on Wednesday, March 29, 2016. He was 69.
Jim was born in Watsonville, California on July 23, 1946. He was raised on the family farm by pioneer farming parents of Portuguese decent. Jim was multi-lingual, speaking English, Portuguese and Spanish. His parents, Manuel and Mamie Dutra, farmed on Carlton Road in Watsonville where Jim continued his parents' legacy until the day the Lord called him home.
Jim leaves behind his companion of 22 years, Susan Petersen McBride. He was blessed with two children and two grandchildren all who reside in Watsonville. Jim leaves behind his son, Jimmy Dutra, his daughter Lori Dutra, his son-in-law, Efrain Arellano and his grandsons, Carson James and Xander Cruz. Jim leaves a sister, Marilu (Dan) Phillips and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind three very loyal amigos, Randy, Chuy and Ramiro, that cared for both private and business affairs day in and day out for years on end.
Jim was an avid collector since the age of five years old. He adored his family, exploring new places, traveling (fun fact: the only state in the U.S. Jim had not visited was South Dakota), cooking, and entertaining his friends. Jim was the kindest man with the gentlest heart and soul.
Jim was a true country boy and called Watsonville home his entire life. He truly loved his hometown. Throughout Jim's life he was a member and volunteer of many community organizations including: Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, Ag History Project, Santa Cruz County Fair Heritage Foundation, Elks Lodge BPOE No 1300 (past Exalted Ruler), Knights of Columbus, Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club, I.S.T.W., Boys Scouts of America, 4-H and FFA, Little League Baseball and Watsonville High School Boosters. Jim will be greatly missed.
A Mass and celebration of Jim's life will be held at Valley Catholic Church (Our Lady Help of Christians) 2401 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 10 am. Burial will follow at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Ag History Project (2601 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville) or a charity of your choice. Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

View the online memorial for James "Jim" Roger Dutra

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Apr. 5, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Dutra

Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.

8 Entries

George & Jean Schaaf

April 9, 2016

We are blessed to know such a special person. We send our prayers to his loved ones.

Larry Myers

April 9, 2016

R.I.P. JIM

Kathy Hanrahan Day

April 8, 2016

Rest in peace my friend.I have fond memories of our days as classmates at Mora. My sincere condolences to the Dutra family and to Sue.

Kathy Hanrahan Day

Steve Bloomquist

April 6, 2016

Jimmy Dutra was one of the kindest, friendliest, and most loyal friends I've ever known. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
He cared so much about a person, you
kind of felt "safe" and secure, when you

were around him. His kindness just poured out of him, GREAT man, HUGE heart,
a man of many diverse interests, Jim would never cease to amaze me with his deep
and passionate knowledge of his own
personal interests. I've missed him a lot over the past few years and I will miss him dearly now, a TRUE friend.

April 6, 2016

My sincere condolences to Susie and the Dutra family.
Lorna Pollock

Barbara Travers Lathrop

April 5, 2016

With prayers, may the Light of Christ,
be by his side with Peace..with his Mother and Father.

April 5, 2016

So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please know that God hears the prayers of those in distress and He yearns to comfort and strengthen you. -Psalm 4:1.

April 4, 2016

I am saddened by my good friends passing. Jim and I had a long history together going back to the early 70s when he was working for Goodale Bearing Co. It turned out that we had mutual interests together, old cars, flea markets and road trips. We built his 32 Ford Victoria from the ground up and hauled it all over to the Cow Palace, Oakland Roadster Show, and the Sacramento exposition. He won many first place trophys with that old deuce and it is still in his collection. We went on many road trips, one being a 2500 mile jaunt on old route 66. Jim and I road traveled to Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Arizona, sometimes having to repair our old cars along the way. He once told me that he never felt so much at peace as when he was going down a long lonely road in the middle of nowhere. I like to think that at this very moment he is somewhere doing just that.
I'm going to miss my best buddy.
Merlin Hudson

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results