Jim was a great guy with a terrific wit and sense of humor. Many fond memories of him, his cousins, brother, and parents. We lost touch after high school. I hope he enjoyed a good life. My condolences to his family. Very sad.
One of my best friends friends our senior year. Still have memories of him that make me smile. Smart guy with a quick wit.Last I saw him was going to Doors concert with him and Bryan December of 68’. Never Forget.
Jim was born of the 5th of November, 1950 in Los Angeles. He grew up in a little brick house his dad built in the middle of 2 lots on 30th street in Manhattan Beach. His infancy was difficult as he was born with only one functioning kidney and that did not function well. He spent a lot of time at Children's Hospital in LA under the care of a brilliant urologist, Dr. Harold Edelbrock. Under the doctor's care he did get better was able to live a pretty much normal childhood. I don't think he missed a day of school until the 6th grade. His family grew tired of the small house and relocated to a nice big new house in Long Beach. My family did the same(as did Randy Strickley's).
Jim survived the culture shock of the move a attended DeMille and Millikan. He attended UCLA from 68 to 70. He then went to pharmacy school at UCSF and received his Pharm D in 1974. Pre-gentrification San Francisco was interesting. Patty Hearst was hiding out nearby and his neighborhood was in the center of the Zebra killings.He tired of the City and took a job as a clinical pharmacist with Alameda County, working first at the hospital in Santa Rita Jail in Livermore and then at Highland Hospital in Oakland. He lived in Castro Valley, then San Ramon, before finally settling in Danville with his longtime girlfriend Mary Ann Manzano.
Jim took great care of himself. He was a runner for many years until stopped by a bad ankle. He was also a dedicated cyclist. i remember a time when his road bike was worth more than his car. In later years he spent much time hiking in the local mountains and rekindled his interest in photography. He and Mary Ann loved to travel in the States, Europe, and Asia.
Jim retired in 2013, surprised Mary Ann with a marriage proposal, and was enjoying a life of leisure when kidney function again became a issue. I first realized this when suggesting waiting until 70 to collect Social Securtity. Jim said, "Who knows if I'll live that long?" He had no interest in dialysis or a transplant. Although he worked in them for 40 years, Jim hated hospitals.
On the 4th of April this year Jim had a heart attack while out for a stroll. Mary Ann made it to the ER in time to see him but Jim did not make it
Jim's brother Ken and his family, my family, and of course, Mary Ann and her family are heartbroken.
We miss him terribly. 67 seems much too soon. But considering how he started maybe we should consider ourselves lucky to have had him for as long as we did.
Brian --thanks for sharing this. I remember Jim and it's nice to know that he had a pretty great life after Millikan. He signed my yearbook "Resist. (Peace sign). Jimi Morrill '68".
So shocked to see of Jim’s untimely death. We were good friends from elementary school through high school. Our families moved from Manhattan Beach to Long Beach at nearly the same time, so we both attended Millikan - our mom’s were best friends throughout their lives. Jim was always thought to be brightest of our friends, and when he became a doc in pharmacy it was no surprise. I only met up with him a couple times after high school as our paths just strayed apart. His friendship wil be forever a great memory. He was a true friend. Randy Strickley
Dennis Murphy
Jim was a great guy with a terrific wit and sense of humor. Many fond memories of him, his cousins, brother, and parents. We lost touch after high school. I hope he enjoyed a good life. My condolences to his family. Very sad.Mark Lee
One of my best friends friends our senior year. Still have memories of him that make me smile. Smart guy with a quick wit.Last I saw him was going to Doors concert with him and Bryan December of 68’. Never Forget.
Brian Morrill
Jim was born of the 5th of November, 1950 in Los Angeles. He grew up in a little brick house his dad built in the middle of 2 lots on 30th street in Manhattan Beach. His infancy was difficult as he was born with only one functioning kidney and that did not function well. He spent a lot of time at Children's Hospital in LA under the care of a brilliant urologist, Dr. Harold Edelbrock. Under the doctor's care he did get better was able to live a pretty much normal childhood. I don't think he missed a day of school until the 6th grade. His family grew tired of the small house and relocated to a nice big new house in Long Beach. My family did the same(as did Randy Strickley's).
Jim survived the culture shock of the move a attended DeMille and Millikan. He attended UCLA from 68 to 70. He then went to pharmacy school at UCSF and received his Pharm D in 1974. Pre-gentrification San Francisco was interesting. Patty Hearst was hiding out nearby and his neighborhood was in the center of the Zebra killings.He tired of the City and took a job as a clinical pharmacist with Alameda County, working first at the hospital in Santa Rita Jail in Livermore and then at Highland Hospital in Oakland. He lived in Castro Valley, then San Ramon, before finally settling in Danville with his longtime girlfriend Mary Ann Manzano.
Jim took great care of himself. He was a runner for many years until stopped by a bad ankle. He was also a dedicated cyclist. i remember a time when his road bike was worth more than his car. In later years he spent much time hiking in the local mountains and rekindled his interest in photography. He and Mary Ann loved to travel in the States, Europe, and Asia.
Jim retired in 2013, surprised Mary Ann with a marriage proposal, and was enjoying a life of leisure when kidney function again became a issue. I first realized this when suggesting waiting until 70 to collect Social Securtity. Jim said, "Who knows if I'll live that long?" He had no interest in dialysis or a transplant. Although he worked in them for 40 years, Jim hated hospitals.
On the 4th of April this year Jim had a heart attack while out for a stroll. Mary Ann made it to the ER in time to see him but Jim did not make it
Jim's brother Ken and his family, my family, and of course, Mary Ann and her family are heartbroken.
We miss him terribly. 67 seems much too soon. But considering how he started maybe we should consider ourselves lucky to have had him for as long as we did.
Tad Reynales
Brian --thanks for sharing this. I remember Jim and it's nice to know that he had a pretty great life after Millikan. He signed my yearbook "Resist. (Peace sign). Jimi Morrill '68".
Jeff Kravitz
I went to UCLA with him. Remember dorm room talks with him and Ron Rolnick. He always had a sharp wit, but never a cruel one. Just a lovely guy.
Paul Rigas
James was a straight up guy. Smart as a tack and a pleasure to be friends with him in high school. Very sorry for the loss.
William Randall Strickley
So shocked to see of Jim’s untimely death. We were good friends from elementary school through high school. Our families moved from Manhattan Beach to Long Beach at nearly the same time, so we both attended Millikan - our mom’s were best friends throughout their lives. Jim was always thought to be brightest of our friends, and when he became a doc in pharmacy it was no surprise. I only met up with him a couple times after high school as our paths just strayed apart. His friendship wil be forever a great memory. He was a true friend. Randy Strickley