James Edwin McPherson

1936 - 2020

James Edwin McPherson

Redlands - James E. McPherson was born October 11, 1936 in Redlands, California to Howard and Eva Gray McPherson. Jim passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He graduated from Redlands High School in 1954, where he served in the Naval Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduation, he entered the Navy and was stationed in Japan. After returning from Japan, he attended San Bernardino Valley College and the American Institute of Banking.

He was longtime Coachella Valley resident and former Palm Desert City Councilman. An active civic leader for many years, Jim was President of the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce from 1970-1972 and President of Palm Desert Rotary Club in 1973 and 1974. He served on the Planning Commission of the Desert Sands Unified School District and also worked with the United Way. In November 1973, when Palm Desert voters overwhelmingly endorsed cityhood, Jim was selected to serve as one of the five members of Palm Desert's first City Council. He stayed on the City Council until 1982.

Jim began his career in finance with Bank of America in 1958, where he worked in the El Monte and Claremont branches before becoming manager at the Charter Oak branch in Glendora. He was appointed manager of Bank of America's Palm Desert branch in December 1969 and moved with his family to the desert in 1970. Jim joined Valley First Federal Savings and Loan where he was Vice President. In 1982, Jim joined J&W Management, a property management firm, as an owner operator until his passing.

Jim and his wife JoAnn were married August 1985 in Hawaii. They enjoyed many years traveling with friends, serving in many capacities at Bermuda Dunes Country Club and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife of 34 years, JoAnn McPherson, their children Dennis (Ann) McPherson, Kelly (Robert) Peckham, Bonnie Faragher, Brianne King, and Deann (Chuck) McCormick; and his grandchildren Garrett and Grant McPherson, Emily (Logan) Ghiringhelli, Hannah Peckham (Andrew Kryzak), Caleb Peckham, Gabi, Joe and Charlie Faragher, and Jake and Joe McCormick. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Eva McPherson, first wife Janice Raye Embrey, and his brother Jerrold Wayne McPherson.

Services are pending. In Lieu of flowers the family requests a donation in Jim's name to the American Cancer Society.