Chapel services will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. A visitation will also be held on Monday, December 1, 2003, from 4-8 p.m.
Jim was born on May 14, 1932, in Muskogee, OK, and went to be with the Lord on November 24, 2003.
Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Jessie Upshaw; father, Burt Upshaw; and brother, Bill Upshaw. He is survived by his loving mother, Marie Upshaw, daughters, Debra Leasure of Atascadero, CA, Rannah Baker of Bakersfield, CA, Sabra Sandeffe of Atascadero, CA; sister, Freeda Hudson of Mtn. Home, AR; brother, Doug Upshaw of Taft, CA; and eight loving grandchildren.
A man of many trades. Jim Upshaw married Marlene Belcher, the mother of his 3 daughters. He was employed by Judge OW Bryan as a TV repairman and clerk at his hardware store in Earlimart, CA. He moved his family to Delano, CA and was the owner operator of the Shell Service station on Hwy. 99 for 15 years. After selling the business, he sold cars for Just Chevrolet where he achieved Top Salesman for several years. He then purchased 40 acres in Earlimart where he grew alfalfa and almonds while being the owner of Country Hardware. He sold the farm and the store and moved to Redding, CA, where he met and married his 2nd wife, Jessie Marie Palmer. He purchased Marathon Coach, a failing business in Eugene, Oregon, and turned it into a flourishing business. He also bought and restored an RV Park on Shasta Lake. He was a friend and advisor to Merle Haggard world renowned singer/songwriter.
Jim Upshaw was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a teacher, a mentor, loving husband, son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Leukemia Clinic, (713) 792-7000.
Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary