James Jim "Jim" Easton

May 11, 1942 – August 24, 2016

Loving, Selfless Husband, Father, and Grandfather. A Man of God and a friend to all.

Jim was born on May 11, 1942 in Idaho to parents Norval and Ellen and passed away peacefully on August 24th, 2016 with beloved family by his side after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 50 years, Mary, his father, Norval, his 3 sons Matt, Joe, and Mike, Joe’s fiancé Julia, Mike’s wife Britney, sisters Judy and Shannon, and brother Dave. He was the proud grandfather of Maya, Andrew, and Miller.

After graduating from the San Rafael Military Academy, Jim went on to play football at the University of San Francisco while earning his degree in Political Science. During his senior year at USF, Jim had a brief hospital stay in San Francisco, where he met his future wife, Mary, who was his nurse. They got married and Jim was shortly thereafter deployed to Vietnam and served his country as an Army Lietenant. When Jim’s tour in Vietnam was complete, he went on to get his Masters in Education from Fresno State and had a wonderful 30 year career as a teacher/administrator in Clovis and Fresno Unified School Districts.

Jim was an avid fisherman, having travelled the world on various fishing excursions including trips to Argentina, Alaska, Mexico, and Canada and loved fishing with his family and friends. He loved taking his wife Mary to Morro Bay and loved their weekly movie dates. Jim was very active in his church as a Eucharistic Minister and was very passionate about his work with Central California Right to Life and Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats. He was a big fan of the Fresno State Bulldog Football and Basketball teams and loved to tailgate with family and friends. He was also a big fan of the San Francisco Giants and loved to take his family and friends on pre-game SF Bay cruises on his beloved boat, “Kap’n Crunch.”

Jim touched many lives in a multitude of ways. He was a kind hearted soul that was loved by all who knew him. He exhibited the true meaning of “selflessness,” always putting the needs of others before his own. He was truly a noble gentleman and an amazing father, mentor, and role model for his three sons, whom he loved so much. Jim hung a sign on his front porch that reads, “An old fisherman lives here with the catch of his life,” his wife Mary which whom he loved and adored and was his incredible caretaker throughout his illness.

The family wishes to give a special thank you to the Sojourn Hospice team and Dr. Jennie Taylor and the medical staff at UCSF for their wonderful kindness and compassionate care during Jim’s battle.

A Visitation will be held at Boice Funeral Home at 308 Pollasky Ave, Clovis, CA 93612 on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Wednesday August 31st from 4pm-7pm followed by a Rosary.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 929 Harvard Ave, Clovis, CA 93612 on Thursday September 1st at 10am followed by a reception at Notre Dame Hall adjacent from the church.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, Jim would have preferred that memorial donations be sent to Central California Right to Life –Memo: Rachel’s Vineyard/Easton Memorial. Address: 1742 E Griffith Way, Fresno, CA 93726