James Stanley Linnenkamp

Jim was born in Washington Iowa, to Virgil and Alice Linnenkamp. As a young child, his family moved from place-to-place in the Washington area, including living for a short time on a small farm. During the depression era, near the end of the 1930’s, his family lived in a tar shack village that sadly was common at that time. They lived in Canada for a short period of time with his father looking for work. As the strains of the depression began to ease, the family made their way back in Iowa, settling in Des Moines. 

In Iowa, Jim attended the Catholic school near his home. When Jim’s children were young, he had them believing he walked the wilds of Alaska to and from school. Only as adults did they come to learn his childhood elementary school was a stone’s throw from his backdoor! 

After graduating high school in Des Moines, Jim joined the Marine Corp. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, in sunny California, quite a change for the Iowa boy. During his time in boot camp, his knack for electronics became evident. He was assigned to China Lake, CA, where he served as a Missile Ballistics Specialist, for the duration of the Korean War. 

 At China Lake, he met his wife, Alice, at a social get together. They were married soon after. 

After his service commitment was fulfilled, they moved back to Iowa and Jim thought he’d try his hand, and tolerance for heights, in the elevator trade, like his father. Following a bad winter, and missing the California sun, he and Alice headed back out West with their new daughter Lynn, and got a job as a Field Engineer with a little growing company called IBM. Jim and Alice made their home in Simi Valley, where they raised their children. 

By the late 70’s, as the Los Angeles area was booming, his commute time had grown exponentially. Feeling like he had taken up residency on the 405 freeway, he decided, for sanity’s sake, it was time for a change. He relocated to Paso Robles, CA, where he realized his life’s biggest accomplishment: he and Alice bought 10 acres, drew up plans and built their own house on the hills overlooking Paso. He enjoyed doing projects all over the property, and the peaceful life in Paso versus that of LA. 

In early 2023, as life slowed him down, he moved from his beloved Paso back to Southern California to an assisted living facility. His daughters Beth and Jean were close at hand, to lend help if needed. He was awed by the growth that had taken place in the 40+ years since he had lived in Southern California. On trips to see his doctors at the Los Angeles VA, he was amazed by the number of lanes and cars on the 405 – a few more than in the late 70’s! 

He passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 11, 2024. While the turn in his health was sudden, he was ready for a permanent relocation, to go hang out with God. Being a God loving man, he was ready to meet Him. 

Jim was the eldest of 8 siblings. He was preceded in death by his sisters Jean, Betty, Phyllis and his brother Gary, along with his wife Alice and daughter Cathi. He is survived by his eldest daughter Lynn and her husband Tim, daughter Beth, daughter Jean and her husband Paul, and son James and his wife Mary. Grandkids Jeff, Amber, Kimi, Jamie, Joe, Dylan and Ashley. Great grandkids Felix, Nolan and Ivy. And dear friend Barbara Stewart. 

Funeral services will be held September 18, at St. Rose of Lima in Simi Valley at 11am, with interment at Assumption Cemetery following the mass. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Jim’s favored charities, which were: 

•  - Catholic Relief Services 

•  - St. Jude's 

•  - Multiple Sclerosis Foundation 

•  - Disabled American Vets 

•  - Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate 

•  - The Humane Society