James Gilbert Johnston
On Saturday, August 12, 2006, James Gilbert Johnston, 78, of Los Altos, CA passed peacefully from this world after a long illness at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. A person of great integrity, wisdom and character, “Jim” was a true gentleman, who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
James G. Johnston was born on November 23, 1927 in Mt. Vernon, NY to his parents William Alfred Johnston and Mary Pilcher Johnston. Jim learned early in life that the best way to deal with adversity was to make the best of it: Faced with the challenge of fighting tuberculosis at 8 years old, he spent nine months in bed in recovery and developed a voracious appetite for reading everything he could get his hands on, including history and English literature.
His family having moved to Kansas City, Missouri when he was young, Jim attended Pembroke Country Day, Bryant and Border Star Schools and Southwest High School-where he played offensive tackle on the football team, published “The Informer,” and was a member of Lambda fraternity. At age 15, Jim earned money as a mechanic on steam locomotives.
Desiring to follow in the footsteps of his only brother, William Pilcher Johnston-who enlisted to serve in WWII with the Army Air Corps as a lieutenant and was killed over Holland-Jim joined the U. S. Navy as a Pharmacist Mate and was assigned to Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA as a neurosurgeon’s assistant.
Returning after the World War II, Jim attended Kansas University, where he was a member in Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and graduated with a BA degree in International Relations. This background acted as the basis for his desire to pursue a career in the diplomatic corps-a dream that never materialized. However, his training was hardly wasted; throughout his life, Jim repeatedly demonstrated a knack in business and his personal life for bringing people together to work and live productively.
Later, Jim worked for large contracting companies, including his father’s company, the Kansas City Natural Slate Co. and the Barry Brokaw Construction Co., where he became Senior Estimator and Vice President. It was while in this capacity that he designed the acoustical interiors for Kansas City’s first AMC Theaters, and the Avon manufacturing plant and did a lot of commercial work for J.C. Nichols.
In 1953, Jim married Grace Evelyn Hovey, a Kansas City native, daughter of Gertrude and Philip G. Hovey, and granddaughter of Grace and George S. Hovey. Jim frequently joked that the best advice his father ever gave him was to “marry above you!” Jim and Grace would have celebrated their 53rd anniversary on August 14th.
Jim was well known for his wry sense of humor, and was never at a loss for a witticism or quote from an author – probably the product of his voluminous reading. Membership in the Kansas City University Club offered him an opportunity to display his humorous side in their “Nit-Wit” Shows. He was fond of playing squash there and participating on their first Wine Committee.
His activities in Kansas City included being Co-Chair (with Richard Mindlin) of the Bacchus Ball fund raiser, involvement in the formation of the Circle Theater, becoming their official photographer, and a founder of The Guild of the Circle Theater with wife, Grace and Wendy MacLaughlin. His dedication to equality and serving others led him to become President of the Urban League, and the International Relations Council, in which he had the opportunity to entertain Ambassador Melas of Greece.
Jim’s dedication to the Episcopal Church lasted throughout his life. He directed a Funding Campaign for Bishop Edward R. Welles of the Diocese of West Missouri. While a member of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, he served on the Vestry, taught Sunday School, and loved narrating the Christmas Eve services to the community on the radio.
In 1966, Jim accepted a job as General Manager of University City at Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale-the largest off-campus student housing development in the country at the time-a decision that set the pattern for his future life in California. In January 1969, Jim received a call from SCOPE Corporation (a subsidiary of SAGA Foods) in Menlo Park, offering him the position as Director of Operations. SCOPE’s mission was the development and operation of off-campus housing developments with food service (by SAGA) at twelve of the largest universities in the West. This experience spawned the dream of starting his own property management company.
While developing the capital and connections required to make his dream a reality, Jim worked for the George Marcus Co., and U.S. Property Management Co. as administrator of their Receivership Departments. Finally, in 1974, Jim founded James Johnston Property Management, based in San Mateo, CA-a corporation specializing in fee management of large-scale residential complexes throughout the west, and federally-subsidized housing developments for the elderly and disabled. Jim’s commitment to excellence motivated him to earn the Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management. And in 1982, Jim represented his largest client-the Japanese American Religious Federation-in its successful lawsuit over construction defects: At the time, the longest civil jury trial in San Francisco’s history.
Jim resided with his wife Grace, in Los Altos, California for 37 years, where they became members of Christ Episcopal Church. There he served on the vestry, taught the confirmation class, and was appointed its first Lay Eucharistic Minister. He was also active at the diocesan level, serving as President of the Diocesan Council in 1998-99, and was appointed by Bishop William Swing to Commission 2000, which focused on the future planning of the diocese. He served on the Los Altos Planning Commission specializing in Section 8 Housing as an affordable housing alternative.
Jim took great pride in his Scottish ancestry and loved attending the Scottish Games, and wasted no opportunity to study and educate his family in the history of the Johnston clan. He loved jazz, opera, theater, travel, skiing and tennis-playing at the Foothills Tennis and Swim Club in Palo Alto, and especially ballroom dancing -he and Grace were long-standing members of a ballroom dancing club founded by David Packard. He was an award-winning amateur photographer who relished the processing and printing of his own negatives.
Jim is survived by his wife, Grace Hovey Johnston, his sons William Pilcher Johnston II (Bill), Philip Wendover Johnston (Philip), and Mathew Mays Johnston (Matt), his two grandchildren, Michael and Brian Johnston, and his nephew, Stephen Johnston, of Leawood, KS.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9th, 2006, 3:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos CA 94024. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ Church; the Alzheimers Assoc., 2065 El Camino Real, Mountain View CA 94040; or, the James Johnston Endowment Fund of Music for Minors, 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos CA 94022.
LORRAINE PEARL GROSS
Lorraine Gross, a resident of Los Altos for 40 years, passed away August 11 at the age of 86. Lorraine was the cherished wife of Laddy Gross for 65 years, until he passed away in January this year. She is survived by her two children Richard Gross and Mady Kahn, her son-in-law Mel Kahn, three adoring grandchildren, Matthew and Brandon Kahn, his wife Christine and their daughter Ashley and Richard’s daughter, Sarah Adams.
Born in Portland, Oregon on November 7, 1919, Lorraine and her mother traveled by bus to Texas where she married her life partner, Laddy Gross, before he was shipped overseas during World War II.
The family moved to Gilroy for 10 years after the war, then to Palo Alto until the children graduated, and finally to Los Altos. Having to work during the Depression, she was unable to attend college. In her 40’s she attended Foothill College for 11 years, took all the courses she loved, and with her knowledge from Foothill travel classes, worked 30 years as a travel agent, 20 with Ligtelyn Travel in Los Altos.
Once dubbed the “Dancin’ Grandma” by the Los Altos Town Crier, Lorraine spent 25 healthy years in Joan Rabin’s aerobic dance classes.
Lorraine never complained and showed deep compassion for others. A beautiful woman inside and out, she will be sadly missed by the many friends and family she touched so deeply.
Lorraine’s family would be grateful for donations in her memory to any of the following: Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022: Foothill/De Anza Foundation, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022; El Camino Hospital Foundation, 2500 Grant Rd, Mt. View, CA 94040; St. Anthony Foundation, 121 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102.
ALICE GENEVIEVE DUNN
June 29, 1923 – August 19, 2006
Passed away quietly and peacefully surrounded by her immediate family on August 19, 2006 at the home of her daughter, Pam, under hospice care in Petaluma, CA. She is survived by her two daughters Pat Haines and Pam Kristie; her grandchildren Tim, Alex and Ryan Haines; her three brothers Francis, Gene “Gus,” and John Adelsberger; and her three sisters Jane Streets, Adele Engel and Ann Fleischman. Alice was 83 years old.
One of 10 children, Alice was born and raised in Emmitsburg, MD. She met and fell in love with her lifetime mate, William “Bill” Dunn and they were married for 58 years. Together they traveled west in 1959 to raise their “girls”. Alice lived over 30 years in Los Altos.
Alice was an accomplished cook, seamstress and homemaker who always put her family first and loved to tell a good joke. She worked in the Mountain View school district, and over the years, she provided daycare for over 30 families in the Mountain View-Los Altos area. Alice loved Mother Nature’s smallest creatures and delights: she took care of all the birds and squirrels that visited her yard filled with roses and irises. She was a big baseball fan and she loved to spend time with her family and friends, most of all her children and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 4:00pm at St. Raymond Church, 1100 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, www.braintumor.org.
BRUCE RICHARD CAIRNS
February 12th, 1937 –
August 14th, 2006
Beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully in his home in Los Altos Hills. Bruce was a loving husband of Suzanne Cairns, father of Cheri, Randy and Scott, and father-in-law of Doug, Jessie and Kristie. He was also a joyful grandfather of 6 beautiful children.
Bruce was born in Lewiston, Idaho to Pauline and James Cairns. He graduated from the University of Idaho and received his PhD in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. He had a 40-year career in the semiconductor industry, working for Fairchild Semiconductor, National Semiconductor and Watkins Johnson.
Bruce was a devoted family man and a faithful servant of Christ throughout his life. He and his wife Suzanne were involved as leaders in Young Life. They also hosted numerous church youth groups at their house over the years. Bruce served as an elder at Peninsula Bible Church for 28 years. He loved to travel, spend time with friends and loved befriending people in his workplace, travels, and every day of his life.
Memorial services were held on August 27th at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, at 3505 Middlefield Rd.
In lieu of flower arrangements, please send contributions to: Peninsula Bible Church, Palo Alto, Mt. Hermon Conference Center at Mt. Hermon, or Young Life, Los Gatos.
ROBERT M. TARR JR.
Robert Morris Tarr Jr. was born on October 31, 1949 in Richmond Heights, Missouri. He died on August 5, 2006 in Los Altos, California. He was a life member of the National Antique Automobile Club of America and was a charter member of the Foothills Region Chapter. He had been a member of both the National and the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America since 1968.
He is survived by his parents Robert Sr. and Irene Tarr, his two brothers Michael Tarr, and Thomas Tarr and Nancy Russell.
A memorial service was held at the Sunnyvale First United Methodist Church on Thursday August 10.
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Norris Gregory
Aug 17, 1927-Aug 13, 2006
Norris Gregory passed away peacefully in his sleep at home. He is survived by his loving wife, Lorraine, his daughters; Janelle Day (Alan), Colleen Mills (Steve), Darleen Eagleton (Bill), and Grandchildren; Gregory, Nicole, Gail, Katie and Jody.
Norris, an Armenian, was born to Norris Sr. and Roxie Gregory in Los Angeles. He spent most of his young life in San Francisco, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1944, before enlisting in the Navy. He served in WWII and was honorably discharged in 1947. He then went to the University of Colorado, where he became a registered Pharmacist in 1951. He opened his first Pharmacy in Daly City in 1953, where he met his wife, and they moved down the peninsula and opened a store at Blossom Valley Shopping Center, in Mountain View, in 1957. He moved the store in 1982 to Rancho Shopping center in Los Altos, where he retired in 2002. He was a pharmacist for over 50 years, serving the community in many ways. His professional, civic and social affiliations were numerous. He was a Charter Member of Rotary International in Daly City, and was past president of the Mountain View Club. He belonged to The Triple X Club, an Armenian Men’s Fraternity, and a member of the Elks club, the Olympic Club, and a Mason in the Masonic Lodge. He served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara County Heart Fund, and was a member of the American and California Pharmaceutical Association. He sponsored Little League Baseball for many years, wanting others to enjoy the same game he himself had played all the way through College. (He was actually paid to play!)
He was an enthusiast in everything he did. He was an avid poker player, playing with the same group for over 35 years. He enjoyed watching the Giants Baseball Team, and the 49ers. In the 60’s he was a go-kart racer, and was known as the Flying Pharmacist (He went off the track a few times to earn the name). He then moved on in his interests, raising horses for several years. As time went on, he decided that he wanted a tamer sport, and having a vineyard was his last endeavor. He converted the stables into a wine house, and was content to watch the grapes grow and learn the art of Winemaking. As with anything he wanted to do, he knew that research and learning was key to doing it well, so he continued his studies at UCDavis, attending Vintner (winemaking) classes as he believed education was important at any age.
Through the years he acquired many friends, and knew the value of a friend. He was always willing to lend a hand if someone needed him. He had strong beliefs, and was willing to share them with others. As he always said, “good, bad, right or wrong, this is the way it is.”
He wanted his family and friends to remember him with joy and happiness, and not to grieve for him.
A Celebration of His Life will be held at The Gregory Vineyard on September 9th, 2006 at 12:30pm.
He will be missed by all who loved him, and even a few who didn’t.
