James C. Krause

James Charles Krause passed away on August 16, 2012 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer that began in April 2008. Many thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center for their skill, effort, friendship, and compassion.

Jim was born in Salem, New Jersey on May 12, 1950 to Kathryn Silcox Schneider and Edmund Andrew Krause, both now deceased. He is survived by the family he dearly loved: his wife, Gale Jensen Krause; their three sons, Andrew, Mark, and David; his brother and sister-in-law, Ted & Eileen Krause of Plymouth Meeting, PA; two nephews and their beautiful families.

While growing up in Salem, New Jersey, Jim participated in many activities. He was an Eagle Scout, played the flute and piccolo in the Salem Legion band as well as the New Jersey Boys State Band, and he was an accomplished pianist. Jim was valedictorian of the Salem High School Class of 1968 and graduated from Haverford College in 1972. In 1975, Jim graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Diego Law School. He went on to clerk for the Hon. James M. Carter, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, before joining the law firm Sullivan, Jones and Archer. He left to form Reniche & Krause in 1981, opened a solo practice in 1991, and most recently was Senior Partner at Krause, Kalfayan, Benink and Slavens, LLP. Jim specialized in complex commercial litigation throughout his career.

Jim and Gale married in July, 1987 and they raised three wonderful sons. Andrew recently graduated from the University of San Diego with a BA in Music; he teaches at the Recreational Music Center in Liberty Station and plays lead guitar in the band, Counterpoint Culture. Mark is a Computer Science major on leave from USD. David just completed his freshman year at California Lutheran University, majoring in Multimedia.

Jim strongly believed in giving back to the community and organizations that helped him and his family along the way, and he did so by his involvement and gifts to the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of San Diego, the University of San Diego, and the Mission Valley YMCA. Some of his favorite projects included serving as a Trustee at USD, two years as Chair of the Volunteer Board at the Mission Valley YMCA and over 20 years as the Volunteer Lawyer for the United Methodist Church - Western Conference. He helped establish the Mission Valley YMCA Krause Family Skatepark and the (FUMC) United Methodist Center in Mission Valley. He taught Securities Law at USD Law School and was a member of the Point Loma Rotary Club for more than 35 years. Jim loved classical music and was an enthusiastic supporter of the San Diego Opera.

Jim was known for his easy smile, keen intellect, genuine interest in people and terrific sense of humor. He loved to cycle, developing friendships he valued greatly in two cycling groups: Ten Bears and Cyclo Vets. Some of his treasured accomplishments on his bike included the many Century Rides he completed with friends, particularly the Eastern Sierra Century Ride, which he completed in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts in Jim's memory to the UCSD Foundation, Attn: Pam Werner, 9500 Gilman Drive #0853, La Jolla, CA 92093. Gifts will be used for pancreatic cancer research at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held in November.

For family flowers call 1-877-894-0431 and use family code #51091