James Robert Esh from Carlsbad, California, made his final journey, at the age of 77, on January 27, 2023. Born in Elgin, Illinois, he was the middle child of five boys. He attended college in Iowa, where he met his wife Roselyn and started their family of three children. Upon returning to Illinois, he worked at the Bank of Barrington and helped them develop their computer system. When California came calling in 1976, he moved his family to San Diego and became a general contractor, a trade that has a long tradition in his family.
James was a world traveler, who enjoyed exploring different cultures and regions with his family. Yet he always considered San Diego his home, his space to rest between trips exploring the world, and a beautiful place to enjoy time with his family. He was always up for a family game of trivia, a shared meal, and good conversation. In more recent years, he welcomed two important people into his life – Pam, his partner and “hold-hand” and Dee, his long lost sister – which brought him great joy!
James loved sports and was always up for a game of any sort. For many years, he played basketball and football. He taught his children and grandchildren to ski. His most recent favorite activity was pickleball. He was energetically and gratefully living his best life one pepsi and snickers at a time!
He was an extraordinary man, an adventurer extraordinaire! He loved to travel and explore, try and taste, dig deep, and rise to challenges. He had so many more adventures planned and so many more that his family wanted to experience with him. His last travel adventure was in the magical country of Morocco, where he rode dromedaries in the Sahara Desert, explored Kasbahs, and learned to cook Moroccan food!
Wherever he traveled, whoever he met, he touched each person deeply, creating lifelong ripples throughout people’s lives. He was the pebble that caused an instantaneous ripple effect in all aspects of life. He was giving, forgiving, and always welcoming. He was humble and wholeheartedly his friends’ and family’s number one supporter. He was unwavering, someone who would be at your side in a moment’s notice. He was strong and provided strength to those around him. He believed in you and championed your dreams.
James is survived by his three children: Kristine, Stephanee and Ryan; five grandchildren: Tyler, Joshua, Guiseppie, Zachary, and Emily; three siblings: David, Stephen, and Dee; his partner Pam; his former spouse, Roselyn.
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