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90, passed away March 8, 2022 in Reno, Nevada. He was born and raised in a farming community in Northern Minnesota participating in football, gymnastics, and 4-H. At the University of Minnesota he received an HSPA (Hawaii Sugar Planters Association) scholarship. Soon he was sailing across the Pacific Ocean on the Lurline, playing ping-pong with Duke Kahanamoku. Jim graduated from the University of Hawaii in Tropical Agriculture. After graduation he served his country with honor in the Army in Hawaii.Jim and Marge lived on sugar plantations on the islands of Oahu and Kauai where he held various managerial positions. He rose to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Waialua Sugar Plantation until they closed. He then worked for the Estate of James Campbell transitioning former sugar plantation lands to small farmers.
Things Jim loved: Hawaiian music (singing, playing ukulele and harmonica), animals, Vikings football, playing and watching volleyball, a rousing game of cribbage (especially if he won), and telling a good story infused with his ''kolohe" humor. Jim was honest and fair, a true gentleman. He was a great host and was genuinely interested in people, going out of his way to help them. He organized annual volleyball tournaments between plantations which were great fun. Jim and Marge travelled the world and had a very full life.
Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marge, along with his daughters, Mary Claire, Karin (Peter) Russell-Lance, and Jennifer (Frank) Streshley, as well as five grandchildren, among them being Nicholas Tranchida of Colorado, Jenna Streshley, and Jared Streshley, of Reno. A big thanks to his caregivers for their love and support of Jim. A celebration of life will be held in Reno, NV at a later date. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl).
