James Henry Dreyfuss

Jim often said that each phase of his life was his favorite. Born in Santa Barbara on April 26, 1963 to Katharine and John Dreyfuss, Jim grew up in Santa Monica with three sisters. He attended Midland School in Los Olivos and California State University, Chico, then settled in Los Angeles. At Midland, a boarding school in the hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, he was a role model and a troublemaker. Despite always finding himself in cartoon-like predicaments, he never failed to embody the school’s values of self-reliance and community service. He continued serving the Midland community as a Board member throughout his adult life.

Jim brought his characteristic commitment to the Chico State party scene, where he forged lifelong friendships and found his passion for rugby. After graduation, he returned to Los Angeles and joined the Santa Monica Rugby Club. He excelled at the sport, playing on the Pacific Coast Grizzlies and Maccabiah Team and gaining admittance to the SMRC hall of fame. His love for the game extended beyond the pitch through his tenure as President of the club and his time as a coach for his son’s youth team, reflecting their motto “too much fun.”

In 1993, with his father, Jim started Dreyfuss Construction, which he ran for 28 years, building multi-family affordable housing in Southern California. His dedication to offering shelter to all who need it reached beyond professional life. He was a longtime supporter of local nonprofit agencies, most recently working closely with The People Concern, providing interim housing and services in Los Angeles County.

Also in 1993, he found the most amazing life partner in Beth Welty Dreyfuss. Beth and Jim tackled the peaks and valleys of life head on, just as they did on their tandem bike rides each week. Together they raised three children, whom Jim embarrassed with his rotating assortment of hobbies-- showing up to school events in outfits ranging from spandex biking shorts to a cowboy hat and boots. As a father, Jim supported all of his kids' passions-- even off-the-wall ones like degrees in blacksmithing and cinema analysis-- and demonstrated boundless love through regular, handwritten letters. He showed what it meant to be part of a family, through frequent and loving phone calls, visits, and impulsive gifts, to his mother, sisters, nephews, nieces, and godchildren.

Everything Jim loved, he loved with a full heart. Every community he joined, he joined for a lifetime and showed his commitment through service and leadership, living the philosophy, “work is love made visible.” Anyone who was fortunate enough to know him felt the warmth, strength, optimism, and humor that he shared with the world. Jim is survived by his wife, Beth, his children Emma, Lona, and Adam, his mother Kit, and his sisters Karen, Kim, and Katy.