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James Halow Obituary

James Halow I am but waiting for you For an interval Somewhere. Very near. Just around the corner. Jim died March 18 at home at age 72 after a seven-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim had time during the progress of this disease to receive and reflect on the love and adoration of his family and so many others he had influenced, mentored and touched during his life. Jim used this interval to tell life stories with humor, giving his final guidance and personal philosophy to his children, daughter-in-law, and close nieces and nephews. Jim was born in Altoona PA and grew up in Chevy Chase MD. He graduated in engineering from Carnegie Tech University and was awarded his Ph. D. in physics from Catholic University of America. He taught physics at Drexel University before entering Stanford Business School for his MBA. Jim founded Trinity Capital Corporation, which he ran with his wife, Donna, for several decades. He took personal pride in the long-term continuity of one hundred employees and the equipment financing of hundreds of thousands of small businesses throughout the United States. Jim lived a wonderful life and enjoyed his work, his family and friends and his many passions including basketball, tennis, mathematics and golf. He was a respected coach for the boys and their friends throughout their lives and inspiration to many. The wonderment and fullness of the many phases of Jim's life came together in his final months. Ongoing calls and letters from his Chevy Chase friends helped recall and shape the happy memories and great depth of their friendships of over half a century. His long-time friends from Stanford Business School were staunchly here with him throughout his illness. Jim's love and work for the University High School basketball team, and the boys he influenced there, was memorialized in a heart-felt video tribute by one of its great players. The many notes, videos and calls from the staff and clients at Trinity brought Jim right back into that close circle of colleagues. His neighbors, tennis buddies, golf buddies, and friends-from family life in San Francisco to retirement living in Sonoma-reminded Jim on a daily basis how much he was an ongoing part of their lives. Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna, sons James and Michael, daughter-in-law, Gina, his brother, Joe (Elisabeth), sisters Eva (Arnold), Mary, and Gloria (Osama), Donna's family, Evelyn (John), Kris (Carol) and Janet (Frank), nine very close and beloved nieces and nephews, and his close cousin, Linda. Jim has joined his father and cherished mother, two brothers, George and Fred, and his most beloved niece, Michelle. Friends are invited to celebrate Jim's life at 11:00am on Friday, March 23 at St. Leo's Church, 601 W. Aqua Caliente Road, Sonoma, with a reception following at the Sonoma Golf Club. Memorial donations may be made to Salesian Boys and Girls Club in San Francisco (www.salesianclub.org) or the Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club College Bound program (www.bgcsonoma.org).

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Mar. 19 to Mar. 20, 2012.

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3 Entries

Natasha Smet

March 22, 2012

Donna and family,

Thomas and I are deeply saddened to hear the news of Jim's passing. We are holding you in our thoughts and prayers.

Even though I never got the chance to thank you both for the mentorship and support I received, know that I will always be grateful for the foundation that the two of you helped build, so that I could go on to become a first generation college student.

I learned so much from the two of you in six years and the positive influence you provided has served me well in many other areas of my life.

“March Madness” is here and I always think of Jim and the Trinity gang during this time.

Thank you for the wonderful memories and peace be with you and your family.

Katherine Utsumi

March 21, 2012

Donna, my heart was saddened by the news of Jim's passing. You were both such a great influence on my life and career. These past couple of days everyone at the office has been sharing very fond memories of him. I smile when I picture him hanging out with Anne in her office or in his element during one of the company holiday celebrations. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I hope it brings you peace to know what a positive influence Jim was on so many. We are all better for having known him.

Cherylyn McCalligan

March 20, 2012

Donna and Boys,
Our whole staff is in saddened by the new of Jim's passing. We feel a great lost of a dear friend and Client. We send you our love and may grace to surround you all. It has been our joy to share in the joy of creating the home Jim and the family loved , no doubt Jim resides in every corner and will always be the guardian of the compound from his ranger tower. Our best regards, Jim and Cherylyn McCalligan , Roy Fowler, Winfield Klein

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