James Leo Essner, also known as" Jiminator and Jimbo." He was the sixth child in a family of seven siblings.Doris, Betty, Jerry, Glee, Mary, Jim and Vicky. After many years of fighting Alzheimer, he passed on June 27, 2000 in Laguna Hills, CA. and died holding Karen's hand. He just simply went to sleep in a calm, gentle manner.He was well cared for and loved by many. He is proceeded in death by his father Jerome, his mother, Catherine and his brother Jerry.Jim was seventy nine years old at the time of his passing
In 1946, his family moved from Sisseton, S.D. to Hawthorne, Ca.when Jim was six years old.After graduating high school in 1959 from Sierra High, where he played the trumpet in the school band he went directly to barber college.After getting his barber license he went to work in his dad's barber shop (affectionately known as Building #7 by all the Northrop clientele) along with his brother, Jerry and eventually they were joined by their brother-in-law, Rick. He soon bought his first car, a 1957 blue Chevy. He quickly moved up to a Corvette.
It didn't take long for him to notice the girl across the street, Karen (whose was working in her grandmother grocery store across from the barber shop.)They were married on Sept.4, 1961 and soon bought a home in Hawthorne, in which they lived for 46 years. They raised a family of four, Jimmy, Leah, Michael and Kara.They associated with many high school friends and had a really special day with seven of those couples who all celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary together.
Jim, his father and brother, were all members of the Knights of Columbus.He was also on the Board of the Hawthorne Parks and Recreation Dept.He was involved in all sports activities with all the kids as well as being in the Indian Guides with Jimmy.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, who, after 59 years of marriage, told her everyday that he wanted to marry her. They had four children. Jimmy, (Tuscon, AZ.)and his daughter, Alyssa, Leah and John Waters, (Laguna Niquel, CA.) Nick and son, Zac and Cassidy, Michael (Maui,HA) and his son, Evan, and Kara and Chris Loker (Carlsbad, CA.) Kylin and Cami .He adored his grandchildren.
He loved and was good at all kinds of sports including golfing, bowling, water skiing and was known as the "king of the flattops." He loved his extended family and loved being included in everyone's activities and events.He was happy to go
to any special occasion for the Essner's, the Boll's, the Rehm's and all our many high school friends events.Jim and Karen were able to experience many cruises to the Caribbean countries and several European River Cruises to many countries.
Unfortunately, we have had to make many adjustments to the usual funeral proceedings because of the Covid quarantine.Therefore, there will be no funeral service.We will have a small, private family graveside service on Wed. July 8th.at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA. under the guidance of the McCormick Mortuary. You will be notified of the ceremony on Facebook live.Also, there will be a short video depicting Jim's life which includes many relatives and friends.
He loved the time he spent with family and friends.He was a great provider who helped his kids, without hesitation, and he lived a long and happy life and he will be missed by all who knew him.