James Charles Gastineau

James Charles Gastineau was born to the late George and Helen Gastineau, , in Dayton, Ohio, on September 22, 1946. He was a modern Renaissance man whose interests spanned music (specifically, percussion), the world of gems and minerals, history, coins, antique toys and railroads, to name only a few. He graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California, in 1965. He attended San Bernardino Valley College, studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from the Gemological Institute of America. He served in the United States Army from June, 1968 to May, 1970, as a percussionist for the 52nd Army Band stationed at Fort Ord, California.

Jim loved his family more than anything else. He met LoRee Summers in January, 1966, and they became immediate best friends and soul mates for life. They were married on July 28, 1973. In 1980, they welcomed their one and only child, a son, Nathan James. Nathan quickly became the center around which both their lives revolved. Jim and Nathan especially shared their love of outer space and science fiction, in particular, Star Trek.

Jim, like his father before him, never met a stranger. He loved to tell his stories to anyone willing to listen and they were always told with a wonderful sense of humor and a great deal of passion. He practiced martial arts and earned a second degree black belt in Aikido. He was an avid runner and loved nature and animals, especially all the pets who enriched his life over the years.

Jim is survived by his wife, LoRee, his son, Nathan, his sister, Martha Dilts, brother-in-law, Jim Summers and his wife, Sara, and many beloved nephews, nieces and cousins. Jim is someone who, once having met him, will not be forgotten and he will be enormously missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

A funeral service for James will be held Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery, 570 East Highland Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92404. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtviewsanbernardino.com for the Gastineau family.