Lasting Memories

Jim Rand
May 8, 1935-Dec. 11, 2015
Santa Clara, California

James D. Rand of Lincoln, California, died peacefully at his home on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, at the age of 80. Jim, as he was known to his friends, was born in Eagle River, Wisconsin, on May 8, 1935. He was the eighth of nine children (eight boys and one girl) born to Clarence and Laura (Heehn) Rand.

Jim attended elementary school and high school in Eagle River, played sports in high school, and was well-liked and respected by the teaching staff. Over the years, he gave back to his high school with his great talent for organizing reunions, contacting classmates and preparing the class memory books.

Jim graduated from Eagle River High School in 1953 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a year before joining the U.S. Navy for a two-year stint. During that time, he married his longtime classmate Patricia Edmonds. After finishing his tour of duty with the Navy in 1956, Jim completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1959. Jim taught for a year in Milwaukee before he and his family moved to Northern California in 1960. The family lived in Sunnyvale before eventually settling in Santa Clara.

Jim completed his master’s degree in education at San Jose State University and spent a total of 35 years as a teacher and administrator. He taught in Palo Alto and spent most of his career as a vice principal and school administrator in Sunnyvale. After his retirement in 1995, Jim worked occasionally as an interim school administrator. Jim and Patricia had three children: Mark (1959), Gregory (1962) and Lisa (1963). Despite divorcing in 1980, Jim and Patricia continued to remain close friends until his passing.

Jim sold his home in Santa Clara in 2001 and moved to Sun City Lincoln Hills, a retirement community near Sacramento. Jim filled his retirement years with weekly rounds of golf, playing pool, reading books, walking his dogs Mikey and Trooper, spending time with his many friends and family, and traveling both near and far. Jim was a longtime member of the Nash Car Club of America and the proud owner of a 1954 Nash Rambler, which he restored beautifully.

Jim is survived by his brother, Norm (Shirley), and by his three children: Mark Rand of Lynnwood, Washington; Gregory (Lecia) Rand of Los Angeles, California; and Lisa (James) Dugoni of Stockton, California. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Fiona and Natalie Rand (Mark); Rhiana Rand (Gregory); and Tyler and Jackson Dugoni (Lisa). He is further survived by his ex-wife, Patricia (Edmonds) Rand of Stockton, California, and by many other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Marvin, Jackson, Robert, William, Gene and Keith; and his sister, Carol.