Jim Hasty, a family man with a big sense of humor and a talent for fixing things, died at home on November 13. He was 53.
Beginning in 1988, he never spent more than a few days apart from his wife and best friend, Shirley, whom he met on a date arranged by his sister.
Jim and Shirley were married in May 1989 and made their home in Stockton, where Jim had been living with his daughters from a prior marriage, Kristy and Julie, since 1978. Also joining the new household were Shirley's children from her first marriage, Miranda and Evan, whom Jim treated as his own.
In 1999, with all of the children out of high school, he and Shirley moved back to their native Santa Cruz to be near his mother and in-laws.
For the last six years of his life, Jim worked in the maintenance department at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville. Always talented with a toolbox, he handled plumbing and roofing projects and installed an automatic watering system for the school's horses.
Jim also worked as a security attendant in Monte Vista's student parking lot, where he drove a golf cart and chased after students who did not park in their designated spots.
One stubborn student insisted on parking his SUV in the teachers' lot. Demands that he stop went unanswered. Seeing a new approach was needed, Jim cracked jokes until his good sense of humor prevailed upon the student. Soon the SUV was parked where it belonged. And Jim had a new friend.
Perhaps it helped that Jim, who took to automobiles and heavy equipment at an early age, never forgot the excitement he felt as a teenager driving an old fire truck to Soquel High School. He began driving cars at about age 10 and first sat on a tractor at age 8.
Later, he was a heavy equipment salesman for 18 years, including 10 years selling Caterpillar tractors at Holt Bros. in Stockton, until 1997. His easy laugh and lack of pretension appealed to customers, and he twice won trips to Hawaii for selling more equipment than his colleagues.
He also played in one very large dirt box as the company's "demonstrator operator," showing customers how to operate their newly purchased tractors.
Beyond cars and tractors, his interests extended to boats and woodshop projects, as well as cooking and gardening. In Stockton, Jim and his family enjoyed waterskiing for hours at a time on the San Joaquin Delta, where he also kept a houseboat. When weekends just were not enough, he sometimes took his daughters waterskiing after school.
And in many evenings spent in his woodshop, Jim made all manner of wood products, including birdhouses, lighthouses, and bridges and tunnels for his grandson Justin's train sets.
Now his woodshop sits empty, his saw idle.
The cause of Jim's death was a brain tumor, first diagnosed in 1994. After two brain surgeries and radiation, he recovered and worked full time for the next 11.5 years.
But early this year, following a recurrence of the tumor, he quit his job and filled the last months of his life exclusively with family and friends. Although he, like all of his loved ones, wondered what caused the tumor, he expressed no anger or self-pity. Instead, he visited the beach and mountains, dined frequently on the Wharf, and took a cruise to Mexico with Shirley.
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by two daughters, Kristy Trujillo and her husband, Michael, of Lodi, and Julie Jenkins of Santa Cruz; a stepdaughter, Miranda Hoppin of Santa Cruz; a stepson, Evan Hoppin of San Francisco; four grandchildren, Justin Jenkins of Santa Cruz, and Kylie, Kaitlyn, and David Trujillo of Lodi; his mother, Mary Hasty of Santa Cruz; a sister, Mary Willis Goff of Santa Cruz; two brothers, Allen Hasty of Santa Cruz and Henry "Hap" Hasty Jr. of Chico; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death in 1998 by his father, Henry "Hap" Hasty Sr.
The family will scatter Jim's ashes at a private memorial service.
Donations are suggested to Hospice Caring Project of Santa Cruz County, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.
www.legacy.com/santacruzsentinel
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Miranda Hoppin
December 15, 2006
Dear Jim,
I miss you so much. I hope you know how much I loved you and how much you meant to my life. I am so thankful for all the years we had as a family and for this last summer that you and I had to hang out together. I still can't believe your gone. Our family will take care of eachother and get through the rest of our lives, but they will never be the same without you. I hope to speak to you again in my dreams and I know that you are still with us in spirit. I will see you again someday Jimmy. I will love you forever!
Love Your Daughter,
Miranda
Bob & Paula Rickard
November 23, 2006
Dear Shirley & Family,
We will miss Jim and his wonderful attitude. He set such a great example for all of us, with his positive strength.
We will also miss those wood working projects. But...we still have those reminders each day of his handy work.
With much saddness & Love to you all.
Dick & Betsy Bader
November 21, 2006
It was a unpleasant surprise to hear that my friend and good man is gone! Now my guilt is only greater for not seeing and visiting over the years. We too often use the excuse we're too busy
then it's too late! "Don't do it".
Our Grandpa!
Kristy Trujillo
November 16, 2006
I would like to thank all of the people whom have taken a moment out of their day to send us their condolences. It helps more than you know. The love and support you feel when you read these entries is overwhelming, so again my family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are doing ok. It helps to know our Dad is in a better place and is not suffering anymore, but we miss him so much it hurts. My children, husband, and I will cherish this past year. The memories we have made with him and our family. Walks on the beach, taking the kids to the boardwalk, David saw his first movie with his Grandpa. Seeing my oldest daughter hold her Grandpa's hand and telling him it is ok. Kaitlyn buries him in the sand on a summer day. These are just a small handful of our memories. We will never forget his courage, strength,and love for life. He died with his family at hand, surrounded by love,and peace, just the way he wanted it. I admire him so much. He never complained not once.
His loving wife with him every step of the way. Taking such great care of him, I admire her strength as well, at times I know it was so difficult.
I know over time the days will get easier, but there will never be a day that I don't think of my Dad or wish that I could hold his hand one more time.
On behalf of my family I thank you for all of your kind words. All of the support means more than you know. Thank you.
Kristy, Michael,
Kylie, Kaitlyn,
and David Trujillo
Julie Jenkins
November 16, 2006
Dad,
I am so proud to be your daughter. You have such a heart for God and I am so glad you are with Him. You are the bravest man I ever knew. Thank you for all your love and support for so many years. You have been an inspiration to so many people. I hope I can strive to be the person that you were. You were so loving, kind, and never forgot to make us laugh. I will miss your hugs and grabbing those cute chubby cheeks. It is a comfort knowing you are looking down upon us in heaven. I look forward to the day that I will see you again. I love you and you were my rock. I was blessed to have had such a wonderful father in my life. On the night you passed away Justin mentioned that all he wanted for his birthday was for his Grandpa to go to heaven. He has a strong love for you too! Love Julie
patty padilla
November 16, 2006
Dear Kristy and Family
I want you to know how sorry we are about your dad. I wish I could take this pain away for you. I know you have so many happy memories of him and I know they will bring you alot of comfort during this time. Just remember now you have a very special angel in heaven looking out for all of you. We love you so very much and we are always here for you. God bless you and all your family.
Love, Aunt Patty and Uncle Mondo
Lindsey Ritter
November 15, 2006
We Love our Uncle Hubba! I am so grateful to have such a loving, caring and generous Uncle. Someday when I have children they will be able to know my Uncle Hubba from the multiple stories that I will alway's hold in my heart. For examlple our fishing trip to the fish farm, and our many crawdad hunts! I am so lucky! My word to all readers, aplly Uncle jims positive and loving attidude to your life. Thank You all for your suppoet.
Mona Santiago
November 15, 2006
Kristy & Family,
What a beautiful article about your Dad, now I know where the kids get their big smiles from. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and ALL your family during this difficult time. We love you and are here for you.
Love, Uncle Abel & Aunt MoMo
November 15, 2006
Hi Grandpa Jimjam fuzzywuzzy no shoes Hasty.I miss you sooo much and I am glad you are not in pain anymore.I love you!
Carolyn Parks, R.T.
November 15, 2006
I was so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We looked forward to seeing him here at Dominican MRI Center for his regular follow-up scans. He was always cheerful and upbeat; he truly seemed grateful to be living his life. It made my day every time he came in. It seemed a miracle that his tumor was dormant for so long. It hardly seems possible that it recurred, and that Jim passed away in such a short time. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Laura Taay
November 15, 2006
Our deepest condolences to Shirl, Kristi,Julie, Evan, Miranda and the Hasty family. They are so fortunate to have the beautiful memories of Jim. I don't think we'll ever know any other man who was so loving, gracious, caring and such a great smile and sense of humor. Jim was one of the best and he and Shirl were sooo good together - he brought out the best in her.
Our love to you all,
Michael and Laura Taay
Homer Ray Hasty
November 15, 2006
I didn,t know him. I am from santa cruz. My name is Homer Ray Hasty. I lived on columbia st. I was born in 1940. I went to school there.It is a small world. I get the sentinal here. I try to keep up with things there. Theres not that many hasty,s out there. Sorry to hear about the passing away. My e-mail is [email protected]
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