James Sommer

James J. Sommer (Jim) age 90, son of Otto and Alma Sommer passed away in La Quinta, California on the 25th of September, 2019. He was born May 19th, 1929 in Havana, North Dakota. He grew up and worked on a farm from age 10 to age 22. After graduating from high school and working on the farm for a few years Jim decided to enlist in the U.S.M.C. in 1951. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and was in the reserves until 1959. While in the Marines Jim met Carol Penniman in California. They were married in 1951 and had three children together. They divorced in 1963. In 1966 Jim married JoAnn Engstrand (nee Close). She had one son from her previous marriage. Jim and JoAnn honeymooned in Hawaii and vacationed there numerous times over the years. They loved to travel the world and travel across the U.S. to see family and friends together. JoAnn passed away in 2013.

Jim worked his entire career in the fiberglass / plastics industry, the better part of it at MFG / West where he was senior vice president and plant manager. He retired from Molded FiberGlass Co. at the age of 82. Jim enjoyed spending his spare time gardening , shooting pool, going to Dodger baseball games, and watching the Dodgers, Lakers and Clippers games on tv. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandkids and great grandkids.

Jim is survived by his brother Norman Sommer, his daughter Marla Martin, his son James Sommer (Sharon), his son Craig Sommer, his stepson David Engstrand (Sandy), his grandson Dustin Martin, grandson Danny Martin, granddaughter Brenna Engstrand, grandson Michael Taylor, and his great grandchildren, Jayden, Peyton, Taytum, Makaila, and Makenna.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the alzheimers / dementia charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at Sunset Hills Memorial Park

24000 Waalew Road

Apple Valley, Ca.

Thursday, October 24th at 1:00 PM