James Dowlan

James Robert Dowlan, age 84, died on Feb 26, surrounded by his children Michael and Suzanne. He had lived well and bravely with Alzhiemers for many years, but his body rapidly declined in his final months.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon who passed only nine months earlier, in May 2021. In addition to his children, Jim is survived by his adult children, his grandchildren Kristin and Chelsea, and five great-grandchildren.

Jim was born in Cumberland, Maryland on Sep 8, 1937, to James Robert Dowlan Sr. and Modesta Victoria Dowlan (Schonter). The Dowlan family moved to San Bernardino, California in the early 1950’s. Jim met Sharon, the love of his life, at St. Bernadine's high school. Jim and Sharon were inseparable and married in August 1957. They were married for 63 years.

Jim and Sharon had three children, Debbie, Michael, and Suzanne. Deborah Anne died shortly after her birth. Michael was born in 1960 and Suzanne in 1962. The family lived in several communities, including Bakersfield, Costa Mesa, La Canada, and Anaheim Hills.

Jim was industrious and took great pride in the career he built in financial services. He started with the Morris Plan Company in 1959 and rose through the ranks to regional vice president before moving on to senior executive roles at Union Bank and Western Financial Savings Bank. Jim served as Chairman and President of WFSB before retiring around 2006.

Jim was passionate about music. The Dowlan family often gathered to play music from the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s eras: Jim’s mother on piano or organ and his father on clarinet, brothers Dave and Tom on drums and keyboard, his son Michael played trombone, his daughter Suzanne and sister Nancy played guitar, his wife Sharon and sister-in-law Linda sang along – Jim performed on trumpet. Jim loved attending Dixieland and jazz band festivals with Sharon, Jim’s brothers and their wives.

Jim and Sharon loved vacations, they especially enjoyed taking the family on weekend trips to the Palm Springs area and in later years made frequent trips to Hawaii. They were avid tennis and golf players.

In the late 1980s, Jim and Sharon moved to Laguna Niguel and then Dana Point, where they lived for over 30 years. They spent many hours enjoying their views of the Pacific Ocean and walking along Dana Point Harbor. Jim will be missed.

Graveside Services with military honors will be held for Jim on Sunday, March 20th at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar. Services will begin at 11 am. Directly after services, the family will hold a luncheon celebration for Jim at Avila’s Mexican Restaurant, also in Corona del Mar. Please contact Michael Dowlan if you would like to pass along a message to the family or attend the luncheon celebration. You can email Michael at [email protected].

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Dowlan family.