James Walter Larkin II

James Walter Larkin II, of Idyllwild California passed away on June 3rd, 2017 from natural causes. James was born in Stockton, CA November 29, 1977 to James Larkin and Letitia Hanlon Larkin. James attended Delta Island Elementary School and West High School in Tracy, California. After high school, he attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he met the love of his life, Rachel. After college, James and Rachel moved to Idyllwild and made it home. Together they completed their family with the addition of Opal Leigh and Jasper James. James spent many years working for the local paper, The Town Crier, but then chose to pursue additional education and became a speech therapist. He used his passion for language and Spanish fluency to work with autistic children in the Coachella Valley. He recently completed his Master's degree in communication disorders. During his short life, James had the opportunity to travel the world. He lived in Spain and traveled to Japan and North Africa. He was a lover of history, art, music and language. He loved his family and was a devoted husband and father. James is survived by his wife, Rachel Welch, and their 2 children, Opal (5 years) and Jasper (21 months). He is also survived by his parents, Jim and Letitia Larkin, his sisters, Amy Lopes and Andrea Payne, brothers-in-law, Chris Lopes and David Payne, nieces and nephews, Stephen and Joshua Lopes and Reagan and Lauren Payne. A Rosary service will take place at De Young's Memorial Chapel, Stockton, CA on June 13th at 6 pm. Funeral services will occur at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Escalon, CA on June 14th at 10 am. A reception will immediately follow mass at Roberts Union Farm Center at 4925 W. Howard Rd. in Stockton. An additional memorial service will take place on July 2nd from 2 pm - 4 pm at the Rainbow Inn in Idyllwild, CA.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the James Larkin Memorial Fund at wwww.youcaring.com/ rachelwelch-839647