James Paul Caton

Born late in 1940, Jim was not yet two years old when his parents joined the war effort. His dad enlisted in the Navy and his mother worked at Remington Arms making ammunition. During those years Jim bounced between being with his grandparents on a farm with no running water and an outhouse and his aunt Ruth, whose husband was also away at war.

Once reunited with his parents, Jim was put into school early and found himself behind in learning during all of his school years. Five siblings were born from 1947 to 1953. Jim was left on his own, finding plenty of trouble to get into. He was given his first non-running car at this time and fixed it to run.

By 1950 Jim was a member of The Highlander Boys, an organization to foster character development through a military model . He spent part of his summers at their camp in the Rockies, near Estes Park, learning how to shoot a rifle, as well as doing calisthenics and gymnastics. In his teen years he worked the fields baling hay in the Rockies.

He quit high school at age 16 and went out on his own, starting as a machinist. At age 18 he joined the Army with 4 of his buddies. After 5 months of special training, they were shipped off to the fields of Germany, where they spent the next 17 months. The Berlin Wall was being built and, according to his Army buddy, they were to be the “sacrificial lambs” that stalled the expected Russian invasion. He also noted that Jim was “picked often to lead patrols because he was so knowledgeable about maps and had a natural leadership ability. He was liked by anyone who knew him.”

Once back in the U.S. he became a member of a motor pool for a general, maintaining his vehicle as well as being his driver. Jim ‘s ability to fix vehicles was reinforced.

Discharged in 1962, he joined his best friend, Michael Maestes, in a trip to the Mardi Gras, after which they joined the Seafarer’s Union and became Merchant Seamen. He spent several years traveling to Brazil; Cape Town, South Africa; Kenya; Mozambique; and Madagascar. He raced with ostriches and endured a hurricane at sea near The Cape of Good Hope.

Mike and Jim returned to Denver, where they took bartending classes. Both got jobs as bartenders and in so doing Jim met his first wife, Trudy. He and Mike hitchhiked to New Orleans. Jim got a job bartending at Ruby Reds in the French Quarter and Mike opened a small bar.

Trudy flew to New Orleans and they married. His first son, Paul, was born there in 1966. They then returned to Denver and moved into a Victorian-style home. His second son, Scott, was born in1968. During that time the couple became interested in eastern philosophy, studied Yoga and became vegetarians. Deciding that they did not want to live in Denver, Jim converted a 1956 GMC bus into a motorhome, sold the Victorian and headed to San Diego with his family and 2 cats. He planned to build a Trimaran and sail to India.

Once in San Diego, plans were changed. Jim became Park Manager at Campland while living in the bus with his family. Later he was Detail Manager at La Mesa RV. Eventually, Jim became a general contractor specializing in kitchen remodels. He was Vice President of The Cabinet Tree, which he had started. The business was very successful until the Reagan recession hit.

After 20 years of marriage Trudy returned to Denver. A few months after their divorce was final, he met Charlie, who was looking for a kitchen sink. She didn’t buy it from him, so he asked her out, and, as they say, the rest is history. She had just bought a new house and the first years of their marriage were spent adding a second floor to the house for the boys, putting a sprinkler system in the back yard, and home improvement. They worked together to make it what it is today.

During their marriage, Jim bought many cars for restoration. His first love was the 1929 Roadster, like the one he had when he was a kid. He bought two of them – his and hers. He spent 30 plus years collecting parts and cars. By 2015 he owned seven old cars and had enough parts to start a junkyard.

As their relationship grew, Jim made the mistake of saying, “I’ve seen the world” to the Charlie and she took that as a challenge. They saw 43 national parks, plus several in Canada. After Jim got Parkinsons he still traveled to Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and Peru. Jim loved the last vacation which was to Machu Picchu because he was the center of attention and enjoyed every minute of it. He also got to see his old Army buddy, Lawrence, (quoted earlier) whom he hadn’t seen in 50 years. It was a great way to end his life.

His Army days meant a lot to him and he would be pleased to say that he was buried at Miramar with military honors.

Jim Caton is survived by his spouse, Mary/Charlie Caton; two sons: Paul(Rashelle)and Scott; 5 grandchildren: Kayla, Andrew (Carolina), Lucas (Kenzie), Dylan and Joshua; and 3 great-grandchildren: Christopher, Bailey, and Jaxon as well as his 5 siblings and their progeny