James "Jim" Francis Bertrand

James "Jim" Francis Bertrand, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023, unexpectedly at home. He was 85. Jim was born on April 21, 1937, to the late Earl Bertrand and Esther Thomsen Bertrand in Racine, WI. He moved to Stockton at age 10 and graduated from high school at St. Mary's High School in Stockton, CA in

1955 and then attended UC Davis, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics in 1959. After graduation, he married his best friend and sweetheart, Susan Armanino, at St. Michael's Church, on February 13, 1960, for what was the beginning of 63 loving, enjoyable years together.

He participated in the ROTC program at UC Davis and he served 3 years in the army. His service brought him to Fort Knox, KY where he and his wife spent two and a half years living on base and where they welcomed their first child, Laura. He left the army as a First Lieutenant and returned to Stockton with his family. Jim went to work at California Canners and Growers. He enjoyed his time as a field man, but Jim wanted something more stable to build a life for his young family. He pursued his law degree at Humphrey's College. He practiced law for 35 years.

He had a love and talent for athletics, he played football, baseball and basketball at St. Mary's and played baseball at UC Davis. His commitment to the army interfered with professional baseball pursuits, but his love for the sport never stopped. He and his wife Susan spent every spring for many years visiting Arizona for spring training for their team the Oakland A's. He loved gardening and took great pride in his vegetable garden and his beautiful flowers in the front yard. He was known for his kindness, intelligence and quiet generosity, Most evident to all was his love and generosity toward his family. His love for them shone through in all aspects of his life. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Esther Bertrand, his sister Jean. He is survived by his wife, Susan Armanino Bertrand of Stockton, CA; his sister, Janice of Grand Haven, MI; his sister-in-law, Andrea Ewell of Stockton, CA; his daughter, Laura Torlai, her husband Greg of Stockton, CA; his son Gregory Bertrand of Santa Paula, CA and his son Anthony Bertrand of Lemhi, ID. He is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Emelia Torlai Benavides and her husband Eugenio Benavides of Houston, TX; Gino Torlai and his wife Courtney Berkson of Stockton, CA; Giuliana Torlai and her fiancé Garrett Mussi of Stockton, CA; Alec Bertrand of Ventura, CA and Kiley Bertrand of Thousand Oaks, CA. He is survived by his great-grandchild Allegra Sofia Benavides and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral mass will be held on Friday April 14, 2023, at St. Luke's Catholic Church at 12 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's High School or St. Luke's Catholic Church.