Jimmie Eugene Day was born September 25th, 1927 in Los Angeles, California to Floyd and Janie Day. He is survived by his wife Anna Mae of 48 years. He is also survived by his daughter Maureen Jenkins, Son-in Law Allen Jenkins and Daughter-in-Law Jeanie Marie Day, Step Children: David and Linda Majors, Kathy and Bruce Bailey, Bob and Marsha Dougherty.
Prior to Jim’s passing, he was preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Dougherty and son Michael O. Day and Stepson’s Terry Majors and Larry Majors.
Additionally, he is survived by 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
As a child Jim grew up in a home where funds were not in abundance, therefore he did not get many extras he saw the other kids receive.
As a teenager, he saw his peers getting cars, so of course as any teenage boy would want, he wanted one too. In order to make this happen, his thoughtful mother Janie got a part time job to buy him a car. For this grand gesture, he was very thankful and was determined to make both parents proud.
To show his gratitude, he ran for student counsel in his senior year where with his charismatic personality, he was voted Student Body President. Along with that charisma of his, he also became a Yell King (in today’s terminology “he was a Cheerleader”).
Jim graduated in 1945 from Fremont High School in Los Angeles. After high school, he married his childhood sweetheart Donna Jean Hollinger (Day). The next year he enlisted in the Army Air Corp on January 31st 1946, through January 1947.
Knowing he had a loving wife and three beautiful children, he still felt an unknown disconnect, and a void in his life. After many conversations with his dad, he would later discover what was really missing was the spiritual part of life.
In May of 1971 Jim met Anna Mae while shopping at Pick-N-Save. This love story began because Anna Mae was buying cheap pencils and Jim was buying a trash can and dust pan for his apartment he had just moved into.
The sharing of their love story always brought the biggest smile to Jim’s face. As he would recall the details of that first encounter, his eyes would light up so bright as he began to describe how taken he was by Anna Mae’s beauty.
Soon, after their first date, Jim knew this was a woman very different than those he had known before. Jim felt in his heart that there was truly a special connection forming between the two of them.
As they began dating, Jim went to church with Anna Mae. One year later they were married on May 6th, 1972. As he spent more time in church and bible studies, his life and love for God emerged, and the void he had felt throughout his life was finally filled.
In the late 1970’s, he was baptized and became a member of Arden Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he would later take on the role as Head Elder.
Early in life, Jim made the decision to never ask his parents for money, therefore, he made it his goal to be successful in his career.
His work began as a warehouseman for a beverage company in Pasadena. He then moved to merchandising, sales and eventually into a Supervisor position.
Longing for a successful career he could be proud of, he later became a co-owner of Day & Mitchell Distributing Company (Schlitz) in the San Fernando Valley.
Later, Jim went on to own a Trucking Business which he sold due to his new found religious beliefs and started his Truck insurance company, Wenger- Day. Wenger-Day was sold upon his retirement in the year 1998.
Jim was always positive throughout his life and even during the physical discomfort & struggles with his illness he never complained.
Whenever anyone asked how he was feeling he would always answer with “So far, so good; no complaints.”
If you stopped by the house you were likely to find Jim in one of three places: His personal oasis (backyard resort), the office doing stuff for the church or in the den in his rocking chair watching sports or Jeopardy.
Some additional things he loved in life were;
1. Breakfast at Ihop or Coco’s
2. All things sweet especially Famous Amos Cookies and See’s Candies.
3. Perrier Water
4. Drinking from fancy glasses
5. Fishing
6. Picnics in the mountain (Los Rios’ Rancho)
7. Going for drives
We all have so many cherished and wonderful memories of Jim to hang on to. Here are some shared memories collected from Jim’s grandchildren and great grandchildren in no specific order…
1. Recall the love for his fish pond and feeding the Koi Fish Cheerios.
2. Loved the backyard and of the course the pool.
3. No matter the distance, knowing that he was just a phone call away to seek advice. He was always willing to share his knowledge and experiences.
4. They remember his classic Blue Cadillac.
5. He always treated everyone the way he wanted to be treated.
6. They remember special gifts including the casual unexpected gifts.
7. He always smelled good
8. He was a jokester: The dribble sip cup, their dog Gigi, who would take money out of grandpa’s pocket. He would often say “Don’t forget where your good looks came from”.
9. Hid gifts in plain sight.
10. Always won at checkers.
11. The name of their boat was MaeDay
12. Spending holidays and summer time at the house
13. Memories his son, Mike Day would have: Going to Dodger and Rams games with his dad and the fact that his dad and Tommy Lasorda, were born on the exact same day and year.
14. He was very wise and knew how to make his money work for him and would always say “be sure to pay yourself first” – meaning save for your future.
From the hearts of his Son-In-Law and Daughter-In-Law. Jim always made us feel loved and accepted and as part of the family. For that we are truly grateful and have been blessed to have had him as long as we did.
Jim will be remembered and greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him. Although we will miss him, his smile, his pranks and his love we take consolation in the good feelings of our memories.
We know that each and every one of you held a very special place in his heart. His wish would be that you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
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