James Earl Redfern

James Earl Redfern was born the son of Earl and Frances Redfern in Holyoke, Massachusetts in 1939. He passed peacefully in his sleep on July 28, 2023 from his battle of cancer over the past year. Jim was surrounded by his loved ones in his home at that time. He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany Woody, and his two grandchildren, Abigail and Penelope Woody.

Jim graduated from Holyoke High School in 1957. He played drums in the school’s marching band as well as playing drums on weekends in a polka band.

At age 26 Jim relocated to California where he married and began a career in banking. After an 18-year career as a Senior Credit Officer for Bank of America, Jim changed employers and became a Vice President Regional Credit Manager for Westamerica Bank. Jim retired at age 63 to spend time with family and to pursue his interest in travel. He traveled around the world visiting 6 continents and over 50 foreign cities. His trips included a 65-day cruise throughout Eastern Asia.

Jim attended various colleges during evenings and weekends majoring in business and finance. Schools he attended include American International College, Orange Coast College, Hamilton Institute of Business, and Stanford University where he completed a bank sponsored financial program. Jim also devoted time to the Lions Club serving as President for his local chapter.

Jim loved the water. In Southern California he lived just steps from the beach. He became a proficient wind surfer and a member of the Newport Sailing Club. He took sailing trips to Catalina and to several islands in the Caribbean. When he got a job transfer to San Francisco he settled in Tiburon, a waterfront community that overlooks the San Francisco Bay.

Jim’s mother, who was living with Jim at the time of her death at age 91, loved the San Francisco Bay. She requested her cremated ashes were scattered in the Bay. Jim made the same request.