John James Rorke Strachan

Jim was born April 9, 1928, in Buffalo, New York, to John and Alice (née Rorke) Strachan, immigrants from Scotland. He attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary School until 1935 when his father’s employer relocated to San Diego, California.

When he arrived in San Diego, Jim attended Grant Elementary, Horace Mann Middle School, St. Augustine High School, and San Diego State University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

He was passionate about his work, which spanned 32 years with General Dynamics Convair Division and another decade with Composite Optics Incorporated. While at General Dynamics, Jim worked on the Atlas rocket and aircraft such as the F-106 Delta Dart and F2Y Sea Dart. He was also one of the first to design a submarine (the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle or SDV) at an aircraft factory. Though he retired in 1993, up until his death he continued daily sessions at his drafting table, working complex engineering problems.

In 1961, he discovered something about which he could be even more passionate: his future wife, Geraldine Shandor. Over homemade spaghetti dinner with mutual friends, they found love at first sight. After dating 10 days and a six-month engagement, Jim and Gerry married on Feb. 3, 1962, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Pacific Beach. Their marriage lasted 56 blissful years until Gerry’s death earlier this year. They raised their family in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, retired to Coronado, and in 2017 moved to Solana Beach. After Gerry’s death Jim moved to Temecula to be closer to family. The Strachans were long-time parishioners at St. Didacus Catholic Church in San Diego and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coronado.

Jim will be remembered as a true Renaissance man. He was a devoted and loving husband and a stern yet caring father and provider for his family. He was deeply spiritual, a devout Catholic and an interested student of other religions. A life-long learner, he owned an impressive library of books focused on world history, engineering and physics, military aviation, biography, and baseball (once a Yankees fan, always a Yankees fan). He dabbled in the art of oil painting and charcoal sketches. He was a master in the kitchen and loved to entertain over a fine meal with family and friends – usually with a cocktail or glass of wine in hand. In his younger years, he burned off those calories as an avid runner. He loved to travel, whether it be camping in the backwoods or lifting-off to Africa, Israel, the United Kingdom or Europe. No matter where he was, he never missed the opportunity to tell good story… very often one that would make you laugh.

Jim is survived by his children (and spouses) John Robert Strachan (and Kim) of Jacksonville, Florida; James “Jim” Andrew Strachan (and Margaret) of Temecula, California; William “Bill” Anthony Strachan (and Michele Gachowski) of San Francisco, California; and Beth Marie Strachan (and Daniel Neuschafer) of Alameda, California; his seven loving grandchildren: Alesia Sitka (and Aaron), Keith Strachan, Lindsay Strachan, Taylor Strachan, Ainsley Strachan, Liam Strachan, and Sean Strachan; one great-granddaughter: Evangeline Strachan; and three step-grandchildren: Brendan Hollis; Meghan Hollis, and Rory Hollis. He also is survived by his sole nephew, Jay Shandor (and Shelly), great-nephew Geoff Shandor, and great-niece, Jordana Faria. Jim was preceded in death by his eldest child, Alesia Irene Strachan; his wife, Geraldine Irene Strachan; and his parents, John and Alice Strachan.

Jim’s life will be celebrated on Feb. 8, 2019, with a rosary prayer service (9:45 a.m.) and Mass of Christian Burial (10:00 a.m.) at St. Didacus Catholic Church, 4772 Felton St., San Diego, followed by interment of his ashes at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego, at noon. The family will host a reception from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at a location to be announced. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of John James Strachan to the San Diego Zoo, Attention Lacey Lee, Senior Major and Planned Gifts Officer, PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112, [email protected] at 619-685-3250.