I met Jeff at grad school at SDSU and we worked together at Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical. We were close friends and I am sorry to learn of his passing and perhaps even more sorry that we lost touch. He was a good man, full of life and energy, I am glad to have known him and comforted that he leaves a legacy.

I just came across this, and am very saddened to hear that Jeff passed away.  He was a colleague of mine at Accenture and we had some really good times together.  My heart goes out to his family.

I'm so saddened to hear this news.  Jeff was a childhood friend of mine.  I was always at his house swimming or just goofing off.  My heart goes out to his family.

For the lives you touched and students you inspired, thank you. The halls of SJSU will be a sadder place without you. May you find your peace on the other side. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Hearing this news today broke my heart. I worked with Jeff for the last three years on his course materials. He was hands-down one of my favorite faculty to call on. I'll never forget our breakfast at House of Bagels. RIP, friend...may you find peace.

I offer my condolences.  Jeff was a Sigma Chi fraternity brother at Fresno State.

In Hoc,

MIKE PRICE

I met (and had the honor and pleasure) of Jeff being a Salzburg Colleague in 2012. As a group, we had so much fun and Jeff brought great ideas, lots of laughter and a wonderful spirit to the proceedings. 
Sending healing thoughts and positive vibes to the family.

Professor Gaines was one of the best Professors I've had. He went above and beyond to help students find motivation within themselves. He did such an awesome job of bringing high-profile people into class which allowed us to connect our learning to real-world situations. I kept in contact with Professor outside of class since he always had great advice for his students and always steered us in the right direction. I feel very fortunate to have had a professor like him and am deeply saddened by this shocking news. Any professor can teach a subject, but to get a student to feel passionate about their field, that's a talent that only Professor Gaines had.

Professor Gaines was an incredible teacher and mentor at SJSU for many students, including myself. He had an amazing way of inspiring each of us to learn beyond the scope of the course material to discover and pursue our passions in life. He would always mention that he wanted us to leave his class with a "fire in our belly", something I will never forget. After all, that's what life is all about - discovering and pursuing what you love. Gaines understood this very well and made sure his students did too. Although Professor Gaines is no longer with us, he will live on in our thoughts and actions as we all pursue that fire in our belly and help others kindle their own. Jeff, you will be missed and we will never forget you.

I am so shocked to get this news. "Jeffrey G" was such a great longtime friend. I met him around 1979. Over the last years were both busy with our families & lives, so lost touch. I will always remember his infectious laugh! My heart goes out to Sue & Buck & Jeff's wife & children. I'm so sorry for your grievous loss.

Jeff was a good friend, and classmate in high school. I thought of so many things today that we did growing up, reflecting back to our days of cruising around in your truck, and hanging out at the drive in. I am sorry that I lost contact with you my brother, you will be missed.

I always remembered your smile. I'm sorry you left us so soon. My heart goes out to your family for the sadness that I'm sure is so overwhelming. You will be missed by everyone who knows you.

Professor Gaines was truly one of the greatest mentors, professors, and friends I have ever had the fortunate opportunity of meeting.  I visited Professor Gaines a good amount of times to bug him about life and career choices and he always offered me the best advice.  He went out of his way to help me out and I will never forget that.  He was one of the most genuine and caring human beings I have ever come across.  He believed in me even when I wasn't able to believe in myself.  I will continue to do my best in everything I can to honor his memory.  My heart goes out to his family, friends, students and fraternity brothers.  May he rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened by this news and at a loss to find words to express my feelings. My thoughts and prayers are with the Gaines family.

I'm sorry for your loss. May the wonderful memories of him sustain you until God's promises are fulfilled.
John 6:40

Gainers was a great friend during graduate school, but also throughout life.  He lived life to the fullest and I am honored to be a part.  I learned from him and his experiences and consider him a great life long friend.  We will all miss the enthusiasm he brings to a room......we all will miss the stories that were told, the passion for life and family!  God Bless Jeff Gaines R.I.P.   My thought and prayers go out to the entire family during this most difficult time!  Jeff McCorstin

Professor Gaines was the best professor I had at SJSU. He was always had a smile on his face and genuinely cared about every student. He continues to have a lasting positive impact on my life. My sincere condolences to the Gaines family.

A great teacher and a wonderful colleague. Jeff, you will be really missed on campus.

Jeff added color to the typical textbook education. He taught through experience, he challenged our fears of failure, encouraged us to find our passion and at the end of the day he made sure we knew that we could go out there and build something. Thank you for choosing to be a mentor in addition to teaching.

My sincere condolences to the Gaines family.  
Professor Gaines was one of my favorite professors at SJSU. He always had a smile on his face and clearly loved being an educator.  He loved to tell his jokes and was always available for myself and others students for a Q & A.. I will truly miss his kind spirit and positive attitude.  RIParadise, Professor.

Gains was one of the very few professors I met in college that I was lucky enough to call a friend. His mis 118s special topics class was the best class I took at SJSU and learned so much in that time. A great person to spend time with whether it be a laugh, life lesson, or business analytics.  Truly sad and he will be extremely missed by many. Cheers, Prof Gains and Rest in Peace.

My condolences.  I meet Jeff during a trip to Spain in 1997.  He was part of the group.  The rest of the group made fun of us because we both slept through most of the day trips.  We were known as "el oso".  Good memories.

Honestly one of the best professors at San Jose State University. Jeff was an amazing educator, a great father, and a really cool mentor. His family, his Students, San Jose State, and the world, lost an amazing man. RIP Jeff.

Family gatherings at the cabin will never be the same.  My nephew Jeff, like his dad (my brother), was one of a kind.  Anyone who met  them knew they were in the presence of someone special.  Jeff, your Nah loves you.  Tell your dad "hi" for me.  We miss you so much.  
Love, Aunt Jeni

Professor Gaines was by far one of the best teachers I've had in my entire college career.  Not only did he help his students with sharing his knowledge, he had also showed us the bigger picture of being successful.  I still remember to this day his advice "Whatever you decide to do in your life, just remember to have fun and enjoy it".  He was a great man on and off campus. My sincere condolences and prayers go out his family and friends. Rest in peace.

Professor Gaines was one of the best professors that I had when I went to SJSU. He was one of the rare professors that was so passionate to teach us everything he knew. SJSU and basically the world lost such a wonderful person.My thoughts and prayers to the family.

I am so saddened by this shocking news.   It was an honor to get to know Jeff during the Salzburg Seminar in 2012 and will always remember his hearty laughs, huge jug of coffee and out of the box ideas while we worked on our team projects.  Rest in Peace, Jeff.

Praying for you and your family, Keli.  May God give you the strength to get through this difficult time.

Professor Gaines was truly amazing, and he always think outside of the box.  He was full of life and passion, he inspired and encouraged his students to always do their best. I was shocked and saddened when I learned that he has left us. 

My sincerest condolences,

James Ng

What an amazing man whose life was taken way too early! Less than two years ago I was sitting in his classroom in my in my senior year at San Jose State University. Full of life, energy and optimism, he inspired his students to become successful through opportunity and innovation. He introduced us to so many "game changing" people such as entrepreneurs and even CEO's around Silicon Valley. He mentored his students not only with respect to the classroom, but in relation to their careers, family and life. I will miss his smiling face, laid-back personality, and most of all his laugh. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Mr.Gaines. The world has truly lost someone great...

I was stunned to hear of his death: Jeff was so full of life, energy and optimism. Too many people go through life just doing their job, but Jeff always wanted to do what was right and make a difference, no matter the cost to him. There aren't enough like him and he will be sorely missed.

I too am in shock, it seems just yesterday I might have spoken with Jeff on campus. My father passed away last month, but he had lived a long life. It's a cruel reality to have lost Jeff so soon. My heart goes out to his family.

Jeff was such an inspiring teacher. I was fortune to take BUS 188 with him. He was so easy to talk to and very encouraging of the class to do their best work. It was around the time Nicolas was born. I remember he shared photos with our class of his son. He was so proud and we were absolutely delighted for him. 

My deepest condolences to his family.

Professor Gaines was an amazing professor.  He connected with students just as seamlessly as he connected with major players in big companies that he brought in to give important and educational lectures.  Even after I graduated he continued to help me make connections to others in the professional world.  He didn't just give me an education, but rather an experience.  My prayers and condolences go out to his family.  May he rest in peace.

I am stunned.  My condolences to the family.  I met him during the Salzburg sessions in Austria.  I knew he loved biking and I had hoped to join the SJSU biking club.  Life happens.  We must live it in the best way we can.   In that, Jeff was truly successful.  Ruth

Valiantly lead by Professor Jeff Gaines, Mastering Your Universe: Leading Yourself, was the first college class I ever had at SJSU. Jeff was the first Teacher/Professor that insisted that we called him by his first name. The influence that Jeff had on our freshmen Muse class is immeasurable and I am grateful to have shared educational experience with Jeff. He cared so much about our class that he took each of us out individually to lunch. We even had a camping trip together. I was lucky to know Jeff's leadership further in the Leadership Today seminar and as a Peer Mentor. Jeff was a human of a strong and generous character. His spirit continues in the many lives he touched at SJSU and beyond. 

My sincerest condolences,

Our hearts go out to the Gaines family. How can such a good thing end so soon? It is the Will of Providence and Jeff must have completed what he was destined to do sooner than others. Jeff personified energy, dedication and extraordinary concern and care for others. Body is no more than a dress for the inner soul and we do change our dresses. We are confident that the soul and spirit of Jeff will remain here for ever! Our sincere condolences to Keli, children and the rest of Gaines family. They are in our prayers now.

Jeff was a great teacher and colleague. I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know him in Salzburg. He was always full of big, exciting ideas, and had an uncanny ability to inspire others to join him. His laugh and enthusiasm will stay with me. Thinking about you Keli, Nicholas and Abigail.

Words can not describe what I'm feeling at this moment. SJSU has lost an amazing professor. He was not only my mentor but also a great friend. He taught me the importance of being a good person. To always be inquisitive. To always question the impossible. To always follow my dreams. It was an honor to be your student. May your soul rest in peace, Professor Gaines.

Professor Jeff Gaines will definitely be missed by everyone. I had the honor of working with him for several academic events. He was always very kind and understanding of everything. It is very sad he left us so soon.

Jeff was very driven handling many things, but also kept an upbeat attitude. As a professor he taught us many lessons, but most of all he taught us how to be overall good human beings. I am saddened by this loss. My thoughts will be for his family and friends and may he rest in peace.

So sorry for your loss. Jeff was too young.  My condolences to your family.

What a warm and wonderful man Jeff was.  It was my pleasure to work with him starting with his campus visits to interview and recruit SJSU candidates when he was in the corporate world and then as an MIS faculty member and student organization advisor.  He will be missed - - we are all better for having known and worked with Jeff.

Margaret Wilkes, College of Business Career Consultant, SJSU Career Center (retired)

My heart aches for you and your family. Rest in Peace Jeff. You will forever live in our hearts.

I was saddened to learn that Jeff passed away.  I met Jeff for the first time when he was working in the  business world  and  visited the SJSU Career Center to talk about the job opportunities that were available through the company he represented.  I was thrilled to learn in later years that he had joined the faculty at SJSU.  He was an exceptional man and such a wonderful addition to the College of Business Faculty.  He will truly be missed by all who knew him.  Irene Peck, Retired Staff, Career Center, SJSU.

Professor Gaines was by far one of the most influential, funniest, and approachable professors I had in my time at SJSU. From the 2010 camping trip with all the CoB associations to Bus 188, he was a mentor, coach and friend. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the family. This is truly a hard loss, we will miss you Prof. Gaines. Xoxo

My condolences to professor Gaines family and friends. He was an amazing, laid back, and very warm person with a winning personality. Although brief, it was wonderful to have known him as my professor.

So many hearts are broken with the loss of Jeff.  He was such a wonderful father to his dear children, talented, smart, so kind & loving to family & friends...just perfect in the eyes of so many.  He was also our nephew & and his loss has left an empty place in our life.

Jeff was my professor, friend, and fraternity brother. He truly had a significant impact on my life as a student and a man.  I'm really going to miss him and I am terribly sorry for your loss.

As a neighbor, Jeff always had a smile, greeting and a friendly wave. His enthusiasm and support was an encouragement to many who knew him. 

So sorry for your loss.

Jeff's drive and inspiration made him an exceptional professor. He motivated his students to find their passion. Thank you Jeff.

So very sorry to hear of Professor Gaines passing. He was one of the few fun people to teach in the MIS curriculum. Helped me gain a more practical understanding of what I was getting into in this industry. God bless him and his family.

Jeffrey was a great professor at SJSU. He motivated me when I was planning to drop out of college. I can't believe such a great man died so young. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I will never forget your life lesson about your chemistry experiment that went horribly wrong at Fresno State University. 

"One of your life Lesson; Have Fun with what you are doing" 

RIP Professor Gaines.

Jeff was one of the first professors who I encountered during my freshman year of SJSU. Through my college experience he left an indelible mark with his joviality, energy, approachable character, and willingness to laugh and share knowledge. He is one of the few professors who I consider a mentor and a true friend.

We'll miss Jeff.  He was always supportive and encouraging of students - always very motivating.

Jeff and I were team members for SJSU's voluntary "Day of Service."  He gave to others, and will be greatly missed.  I am so sorry for your loss.

Jeff was a personal friend and great student advocate.  Students loved and respected him.  His devotion to his students and the College of Business will be sorely missed.  I am proud to be Jeff's friend and will always have fond memories of him.

We are so very sorry for your loss. Jeff was a great guy & we will all miss him.

OBITUARY

Jeffrey Gray Gaines

August 20, 1963 – August 5, 2014

Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

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