James Douglas Lorenz

James Douglas Lorenz, M.D. was born August 1, 1943 in Okeene, Oklahoma to Ralph and Bertha Lorenz. He died October 9, 2011 at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, California after a five year battle with bladder cancer. Jim grew up in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He was the president of his senior class and Salutatorian at Shattuck High School. He attended both Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska and Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California, graduating from the latter with a degree in physical therapy in 1965. After beginning a career in physical therapy he felt called into medicine. In 1974, he enrolled in medical school at Autonoma Universidad of Guadalajara, Mexico and graduated in 1978. His fifth pathway rotations were at White Memorial Medical Center and he completed his residency in family practice at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. In 1983, he moved to Turlock and joined the Turlock Medical Clinic where he served as department chair for many years. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Emanuel Medical Center in 1994 and 1995. Jim was board certified in family practice and truly loved his job! In 1995, the Turlock Medical Clinic joined Sutter Gould Medical Group where he continued to practice until illness forced him to retire in 2010. Jim was very active in the Denair Bilingual SDA Church and enjoyed teaching, giving Bible studies and leading out in prayer meetings.

He was also a tremendous Yankees fan, fulfilling a longtime dream in 2008 by attending a ballgame at the original Yankees stadium just before demolition began. In storybook fashion, the game was a dramatic Yankee win. In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and two strikes, Giambi ended the game with a walk-off home run.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Cindy of Turlock, sons, James (Julie) Lorenz of Pleasant Hill, Michael (Soon-mee) Lorenz of Merced, stepchildren, Cara (Drew) Powers of Redlands, Jeremy (Kristin) Lemos of Modesto and Lindsay Lemos of Loma Linda. He is also survived by six grandchildren, James and Judy Lorenz of Pleasant Hill, Gina and Michael Lorenz of Merced and Jack and Ryan Powers of Redlands. He is also survived by his sister Shirley Lorenz of Irvine and brother Richard Lorenz of Oklahoma City.

Jim is now at peace, sleeping in the assurance of Christ's soon return. The memorial service will be held at Ceres Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, October 15th at 4:00 p.m. Donations may be made to Turlock Gospel Mission and the Alexander Cohen Hospice House.