James Collins Wiese

James Collins Wiese was born (October 16, 1935) to Nazarene missionaries, Revs. Harry and Katharine (McAleer) Wiese, in Bresee Memorial Hospital, Taming Fu, Hobei Province, China, the fourth of five children: Florence (Samuel) Scott, d; Pauline (Delbert) Morse; Clarence (Ruth Klaffke) d.; and Lura Mae (Daniel) Dunsing. His first language was Mandarin, but he spoke English, too. They lived and played mostly on the mission compound. During the time of the Sino-Japanese War, the family had to hide from bombardment in the small shelter his father had secretly built in the basement of their home. Once his mother and the children had to flee, walking at night, and hiding in small villages during the day. When Jim was five years old, they had to leave China and return to the United States.

During WW II, his family settled in Florin, a farming community south of Sacramento, CA, where his father started the Church of the Nazarene, worshipping in a Buddhist Temple; his father built a false wall in front of the Buddhist items. They rented a house from a Japanese family who were in a “relocation camp.” Jim enjoyed those days, going to school, helping his brother with his paper route, lawn

work, caring for the chickens, and playing lookout for his family when the hard-to-get rationed items came in to the store. He knew Jesus as his friend, even so young, and his childlike faith resulted in being miraculously healed of boils over his whole body.

In 1947, Jim and Mae returned with their parents to South China. They lived above the church. Jim had to help carry the water buckets up two flights of stairs, and helped his father chase and kill rats that got into the house. As the Communists were moving closer to their area, the State Department gave them 48 hours to leave. His father stayed behind while Jim, his mother and Mae got on a troop ship to return to the United States.

The family eventually settled in Pasadena, CA where Jim attended junior high, Pasadena High School, and Pasadena Junior College. He always worked after school to earn money, bought a motorcycle and eventually a car. He worked as a gardener on an estate in Altadena through college and even after marriage. His faith continued to grow during this time, especially when he barely escaped death in a car accident. His mother wakened in the night, crying out to God to save him, even though she didn’t know anything had happened. He had been thrown out as the car rolled, and when he came to, the car was only a few inches from him. Though he knew God before, at this time, he decided to fully give his life to the Lord. His faith never wavered after that

After graduating from Los Angeles State College, he worked in accounting. Wherever he worked throughout his career, he was always respected for his kindness, honesty, helpfulness and wisdom. Many of those colleagues have remained friends to this day.

He began to attend Central Church of the Nazarene around 1954, where he met and fell in love with Faye LaRue. Their “dates” usually consisted of relaxing at Faye’s house, doing homework, driving to Bob’s Drive-in for a coke, or sharing time with friends or Faye’s cousins -and watching the Loretta Young Show on Sunday nights after church. Their love grew, and they were married on June 14, 1958. Thus began an adventure of a lifetime.

They lived in a rose-covered gardener’s cottage (thanks to Jim’s gardening skills) on the edge of Eaton Canyon in Altadena until they moved into their own home in Pasadena in 1962. Two sons, Robert and John were born during this time. Jim was a great dad, patient but firm. Along with strong ethics and character (taught mostly by example) Jim taught them skills: working on cars, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and, of course, gardening. Jim really loved the USA and was glad that his children and grandchildren did, too. It was important to him to fly the flag, especially on national holidays. He designed and built two greenhouses along with inventing innumerable ”fixes” around the house. The Rose Parade was a very special event to our extended family and friends! Jim didn’t miss for over 65 years. Nature, traveling and learning, whether it was a camping trip or visiting another country, were important to him. He especially enjoyed taking his grandchildren on trips. Jim had a great sense of humor, a fun, silly side to him that many people didn’t see; he enjoyed teasing his nieces, nephews, grandkids, and others. And he was generous - with his time, money or any help he could give others.

His God, family, country, and church were all important to him. He served the Lord in many ways, including driving a bus to pick up children for Sunday School, teaching children’s Sunday School classes, being Church Treasurer many years, greeting people in the parking lot, and the last years, as an usher.

He leaves behind a great and godly heritage for those he loved most: his wife, Faye; his sons, Bob (Karen Swaringen); and John (Carol Wincklhofer, d., whom he was looking forward to seeing in heaven), and his grandchildren: Christina, Joshua and Matthew. He loved them and they loved him. How blessed we are to have had him in our lives!