With great sadness and grieving hearts we note the death of James Aguilar whose 97 and a half years were filled with accomplishments, honors, bravery and integrity. James was born on May 17, 1924 to Jesus and Luz Aguilar in Fort Worth, Texas. The family moved west to Redlands, California then north to Turlock before settling in Manteca, California.
James was an avid, motivated student. He attended Castle Elementary School and Manteca High School where he excelled in sports, leadership and academics. James graduated in 1943, was drafted into the Army and joined the Allied war efforts during World
War II. He achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant in charge of heavy weapons. His unit landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day.
Decades later the family learned of his many war experiences and efforts during the Allied push to the east into Germany. James was wounded during heavy warfare in the Saar Valley in Germany. After four months he returned to battle as a trainer and interpreter.
James returned to civilian life in 1946, a proud purple heart medal veteran. His love of woodworking led him to pursue a job as a cabinet maker. He worked for Crescent Showcase Fixture Co. from1947-1968 where he learned and flourished as part of a team of tradesmen/ artisans who built and beautified the interiors of colleges, universities, government and office buildings and homes throughout California. In 1968 James accepted the job as supervising cabinetmaker for San Joaquin County. He retired in 1989 to spend quality time with family and to pursue his love of woodworking and the study of history.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Luz Aguilar, his first wife Rosalind Aguilar, his son, James Aguilar Jr., his daughter, Elizabeth Constantino, his sister, Frances Estrada and his brothers Connie Aguilar, Art Aguilar and Jess Aguilar.
James is survived by his second wife, Marta Aguilar, his grandsons, James Aguilar III and Roman Aguilar, granddaughters, Erica (Raul) Mendez and Erin (Nicolas) Pellerin, sisters Dorothy
Moses, Rita Silva, Santa (Warner) Rufner, Minerva Martz, Martha (Jack) Swartz and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A special thanks is given to Dan and Mike Estrada for their devoted care and assistance to James for all tasks both great and small.
Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, November 24, 2021at
11:00 a.m. under the direction of Casa Bonita Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery.
James Aguilar, our treasured family historian and storyteller is forever honored, respected, loved and remembered.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
James was an avid, motivated student. He attended Castle Elementary School and Manteca High School where he excelled in sports, leadership and academics. James graduated in 1943, was drafted into the Army and joined the Allied war efforts during World
War II. He achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant in charge of heavy weapons. His unit landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day.
Decades later the family learned of his many war experiences and efforts during the Allied push to the east into Germany. James was wounded during heavy warfare in the Saar Valley in Germany. After four months he returned to battle as a trainer and interpreter.
James returned to civilian life in 1946, a proud purple heart medal veteran. His love of woodworking led him to pursue a job as a cabinet maker. He worked for Crescent Showcase Fixture Co. from1947-1968 where he learned and flourished as part of a team of tradesmen/ artisans who built and beautified the interiors of colleges, universities, government and office buildings and homes throughout California. In 1968 James accepted the job as supervising cabinetmaker for San Joaquin County. He retired in 1989 to spend quality time with family and to pursue his love of woodworking and the study of history.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Luz Aguilar, his first wife Rosalind Aguilar, his son, James Aguilar Jr., his daughter, Elizabeth Constantino, his sister, Frances Estrada and his brothers Connie Aguilar, Art Aguilar and Jess Aguilar.
James is survived by his second wife, Marta Aguilar, his grandsons, James Aguilar III and Roman Aguilar, granddaughters, Erica (Raul) Mendez and Erin (Nicolas) Pellerin, sisters Dorothy
Moses, Rita Silva, Santa (Warner) Rufner, Minerva Martz, Martha (Jack) Swartz and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A special thanks is given to Dan and Mike Estrada for their devoted care and assistance to James for all tasks both great and small.
Funeral services are planned for Wednesday, November 24, 2021at
11:00 a.m. under the direction of Casa Bonita Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery.
James Aguilar, our treasured family historian and storyteller is forever honored, respected, loved and remembered.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, November 20, 2021
