On March 25, 2013 Jim Schwan Sr. peacefully passed away at the lovely Serenity House with the professional and respectful care of the hospice staff. James Allen Schwan Sr. was born on May 29, 1936 in Evanston Illinois, to Al and Grace Schwan. At the age of 11 the family moved to Santa Barbara. Jim attended local schools starting with Peabody, La Cumbre Jr. High and Santa Barbara High School. Jim was the student body President at La Cumbre Jr. High. High School is where he enjoyed being a member of the Future Farmers of America. He raised his Prize Bull which was a great source of Pride and one of his favorite stories. At Santa Barbara High School Jim met and fell in love with Alvina Anderson. Alvina and Jim were sweethearts in the Class of 1955 and married in 1956. They both worked very hard at their jobs and raising 3 boys James, Tom and Garry. Jim and Alvina were both very devoted parents.
Jim was involved in the Boyscouts and Little League. Jim was a huge Dodger Fan and always enjoyed attending the games with his sons and grandchildren. In 1956 he started his career as a Land Surveyer and spent 30 years surveying, the Santa Barbara area. Afterwards, in 1986 he retired from being a surveyer to help his sons out with their fledgling earthmoving business. Jim said his happiest years were spent working along side his 3 sons. In 1999 he enjoyed his 2nd retirement. Jim and Alvina loved to golf and take walks in each others good company. Jim was a great cook, and will always be remembered for his famous pearl onions. Jim and Alvina loved to cook and have had many great times entertaining their friends and family.
For years Jim helped organize the Santa Barbara High School Reunions for the Class of 1955, as he always looked forward to seeing his friends. Jim always talked about how lucky he was to have grown up in Santa Barbara at a time when it was a rural area. Since the Tree House Restaurant opened some 40 years ago. Jim hardly ever missed a day to stop in for coffee and conversation with the many friends he had made there over the years. Jim and Alvina enjoyed taking trips going to Monterey and up the coast in his cherry red El Camino, it was a beautiful car that he loved.
Jim may be remembered for his great stories, his pearl onions, and love of red cars, but in addition for his caring, heart. He is at peace with his parents, Al and Grace Schwan, his sister Joyce and his brother Chuck. Thank You to Hospice and the Serenity House, they have been so wonderful and caring to our entire family. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Alvina Anderson Schwan , son James Schwan Jr., nephew Jason, Renee and Baby Ava, son Garry and his son Garrett Schwan, son Tom and his wife Shari Schwan and their daughters Samantha and Carly Schwan. A barbeque memorial for Jim Schwan Sr. will be held at Elings Park (Godric Grove) in Santa Barbara on Saturday May 11, 2013 from 11am – 4pm.
Please RSVP if you have the time 805 683-5116. Come and Celebrate Jim Schwan’s Life with the Family.
