Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

James Everington was born in Texas to Helen and James Everington in 1917. Known as Jim, he was raised with his sister, Caroline. When Jim was young, the family moved to Southern California, as his father was pursuing new job opportunities. His father was retired from the Army and served in the Los Angeles Police Department, while his mother was a homemaker. In school, Jim was athletic and played tennis. After high school, he graduated from The University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He quickly gained work at Lockheed.

Jim's life changed when he met a young lady on a blind date. Her name was Joan. The couple started dating and married in a church ceremony. With a strong belief in serving his country, Jim voluntarily joined the United States Navy and served for a few years during World War II. After honorably finishing his service, he returned to work at Lockheed in Southern California.

Joan and Jim had two children: Susan and Jimmy. They were devoted parents. Jim taught both of his kids how to play tennis. He also made sure the kids enjoyed the outdoors. They'd hike up the firebreak in La Crescenta and they enjoyed camping. The family started off camping in tents and graduated to camping in a trailer in the High Sierra Mountains every year. Susan remembers one time they drove off and by accident, they left the trailer behind. It's a story that brings smiles. A few years later, the family moved beyond camping outdoors and stayed in a cabin each year. Jim loved fishing. He spent all day fishing for trout and he was a talented fly fisherman.

Jim loved his work at Lockheed and in many ways, his work defined him as he set goals and achieved each one. In fact, he started off in a low level job and worked his way to the top as Vice President of Human Resources. During his 48 years at Lockheed, he was transferred to many different locations working in Burbank, Ontario, Sunnyvale, Plainfield, New Jersey, and back to Burbank. With each transfer, he kept moving up the ladder. He had great pride in his work as he was devoted to the job. He loved working in Human Resources because he was a people person. It was important work as he found the right people for each job.

When Sue and her girls moved from Colorado back to Southern California in 1984, Joan and Jim had important roles in their lives, especially for Kathie who was only eight-years-old. Grandma and Grandpa walked her to school regularly and Jim was more like a father to Kathie instead of a grandfather. He was warm and he read books and sang to her. He loved telling stories to the girls and he'd draw pictures of the dachshunds.

Joan and Jim's best friends were Bud and Ellie McMillan. Bud went to USC with Jim and they were each other's best men in their weddings. They played tennis together and took trips to Hawaii once or twice a year for many years. The foursome also went to Crestline and on cruises. They'd drink martinis and play a dice game for money and they'd put the winning money together for their trips. Their friendship endured many decades and even during the 12 years the couple spent in New Jersey when Jim was transferred for his job. When they moved back home to Southern California, the friendship was rekindled.

A voracious reader, Jim loved reading mysteries and accumulated quite a library in his own home. He was a big USC football fan. It was always exciting when Joan's Notre Dame played Jim's USC. They bet dinner on the game every time. Jim loved his tennis best and watched Wimbledon every year. His favorite TV show was Jeopardy and he enjoyed Big Band music. He was political as he supported the Republican Party. Jim had a talent for Sunday barbeques as the family enjoyed their time together. Joan and Jim enjoyed their evening ritual of having a martini in the evening before dinner. Some of his favorite sayings were "Good groceries" when they ate a delicious homemade meal and "Howdy Doody" to greet his grandchildren. He loved having dogs as pets and owned a few dachshunds over the years. With a green thumb, he planted roses and grew beautiful tomatoes in his backyard.

Jim loved playing golf, but really found his talent in tennis. It wasn't until Jim was in his 70s that Jimmy could beat him on the tennis court. He loved a good game of tennis and played tennis with his daughter, Sue, into the 1990s. Every Monday night she picked him up after work and they played tennis.

His marriage to Joan was wonderful. For their 50th wedding anniversary, the family held a memorable party at The Verdugo Hills Country Club. The couple was married for 52 years. After Joan passed away, Jim was devastated. He'd cut flowers from the yard and go to the cemetery. He went to a church for comfort and that helped him. He kept in touch with his friends at Lockheed and when he was invited to a picnic, he met Marian. Her husband had worked at Lockheed and had also passed away. Marian and Jim started going to dinners and she got him into playing bridge. She was the nicest lady and the family loved her. When Marian and a few of her friends were traveling to Africa, she invited Jim to join them. Jim loved traveling overseas with Marian to France and Africa. She was truly a wonderful companion for Jim. The family is grateful to Marian because she really helped to extend his life.

In his closing days, it would have been his wish to be home and the family honored those wishes. Everyone gathered and they said what they needed to say. His three-year-old great-grandson, Jack, even helped to sing a song to him. In the end, he was surrounded by his family, as he passed away peacefully. Jim will be remembered as a caring, generous man who was in charge and a good role model. His advice to everyone would be to go on with your lives and be happy. The family will miss his advice and generosity. Reunited with his wife, Jim will be laid to rest next to Joan and their best friends in life and death, Bud and Ellie.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Joan and his sister Caroline. He is loved and remembered by his daughter Susan; son Jimmy; granddaughter Jeannie; granddaughter Sheila and her husband Darryl; granddaughter Kathie and her husband James; great-grandchildren Nikki, Kristen, Skylar, Jack, and Sydney.

Memorial donations are welcome in Jim Everington's name to Shalom Hospice www.shalomhospice.com.