| Notes |
- San Luis Obispo Tribune
January 25, 2015
James Christensen James Rinehardt Christensen made his transition on Saturday, January 17; one month short of his 87th birthday at his home in See Canyon with his wife Esperanza at his side. Jim was born in Iowa in 1928 to a family of Danish immigrant farmers. Born the fourth child, and only son with his seven sisters, to his parents Holger and Nicolena Christensen he grew up on the family farm in Cedar Falls.
He enlisted in the Air Force in 1945 at the age of 17 with the hard won permission of his father, who had earned his citizenship serving in World War I. As a veteran of the Army Air Force, he earned a Masters degree with the GI Bill.
He married his college sweetheart Alice Delphine Hascall and had three children: Katherine, Kelly, and Devon.
Even with a family of five he enjoyed a life of adventure as a successful traveling salesman. His personality was so endearing and his true interest in every person he met enriched his life. He was passionate about living and he was a free spirit, grateful for everything and everyone who came into his life. He loved adventure and new experiences and he once traded a house in Oxnard for a 35 foot trailer house so it would be easy to pick up and go. With his young family, he lived about everywhere west of the Mississippi.
In 1963 the Christensen's settled in San Luis Obispo in See Canyon and began a career in education. Jim taught inmates to read and write at the California Men's Colony for 17 years enjoying his colleagues and his students. He began investing in rental properties in the 1960s and built up a nice business becoming friends with tenants whose children are still in touch with him. Jim ultimately retired from teaching at the California Men's Colony when he was 55.
After the death of his first wife, he married Esperanza Barahona, who had four young sons and a daughter. Her children became close with Jim, who loved them all very much. Jim and Esperanza enjoyed a life of travel and adventure driving many times across the U.S. visiting just about every museum along the way and once they drove all the way to El Salvador.
Jim was a wonderful loving person, who made everyone feel special, accepted, understood and loved. He was incredibly positive and enthusiastic about life and all the people and experiences in his life. He truly looked forward to each and every day right up until the end of life. He made good use of his last six months of life under Hospice Care with his wife, Esperanza, as his constant companion who enriched his life every day. He never complained and he was grateful for everything and set a wonderful example of how to live a fulfilled life. He truly enjoyed his family and friends and was always interested in others. Jim will be missed by many, many people whose hearts he has touched and most of all by his family.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Esperanza; her daughter, Lupe, and her four sons: Leo, Mauris, Chris, and Marvin; with their wives and five grandchildren and of course he will be missed by all of his family including his son, Kelly; daughter, Kate; daughter-in-law, Jo Ann, and his grandchildren: Shelby, Austin, Kobie, and Alice as well his two great-grand- children. He is also remembered by four sisters: Christie, Velma, Edie, and Harriet who will miss him very much. Jim will truly be missed by hundreds of people whose hearts he has touched. His love and compassion and his abundant energy and optimism will always be present in our lives.
We sincerely thank Wilshire Hospice and all the nurses and health aides who helped to care for Jim and attend to every aspect of his comfort and well being. We all appreciate so much everything that they did to make his last months as good as they could possibly be. He did not suffer pain or worry about anything and was able to spend his last days with his family and friends who all loved him so much.
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1928 - 2015 (86 years)
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