James Pfeiffer

JAMES PFEIFFER A true member of the “Greatest Generation”, passed away on June 18 , 2015 in Corona, California of natural causes. He was 91 years old. Jim was born near Chicago, in Westmont, Illinois on May 19, 1924. He was the youngest child of Gertrude Schultz and Adolf Ernest Max Pfeiffer. His siblings, Lloyd, Jack, Phyllis, and Lorraine all preceded him in death. His father, Max, died during the Great Depression in 1930, when Jim was six years old. The family subsequently moved to East Los Angeles. During his teen years Jim attended Venice High School. He became a 1st Team All City of Los Angeles basketball player. With the death of his mother in September 1941, the 17 year old moved in with friends. In June 1942 Jim graduated and entered military service. With the United States entry into World War II, Jim was assigned to the US Army Air Corps, with the 15th Air Force. He served primarily as a Bombardier on a B-17 “Flying Fortress” stationed in Foggia, Italy. During 1944 1945 Staff Sgt. James Pfeiffer completed 35 bombing missions flying over Germany and occupied territories. After the war, on January 18, 1946 he married “the love of his life”, Cloma Jean Howard in Santa Monica. They were married for 65 years until Clomas passing in August 2011. While helping to care for a young family and sometimes working several jobs, Jim eventually graduated from Pepperdine University. He also earned a Masters Degree in Education from USC. He began his teaching career during the 1950s at Hawthorne High School, where he coached the Boys Varsity basketball team. Seeking some administrative experience, Jim and Cloma moved their family to the very small town of Campo, in San Diego County. For three years he was the Principal of Rancho Del Campo High School. He later served as the Vice-Principal at both Pacific and San Gorgonio High Schools. In 1967 Jim became the principal of Corona High School, where he continued working for the next seven years. He later served as the Director of Adult Education for the Corona-Norco School District. This position included directing the staff at the alternative high school, Buena Vista. He also supervised classes at the mens prison in Chino, and other locations in the community. In addition he was involved in numerous community service activities with the YMCA and Kiwanis. Jim enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and going fishing. He also liked to go camping, traveling, and bowling with Cloma Jean. During their retirement years they traveled to all 50 states along with cruises to Mexico, the Panama Canal, and Alaska. A few of their favorite destinations included Yosemite, Carpenteria, Pismo Beach, and Diamond Lake, Oregon. While residing at Valencia Terrace in Corona, Jim organized a Veterans Group which included over 50 vets from WWII and the Korean War. He also directed and participated in numerous “living history” seminars that veterans of all ages presented at local schools. Jim is survived and honored by his three children, Jean Leonard, Riverside, CA, Robert Pfeiffer, Forest Grove, OR, and Janice Myre, Eagle Point, OR, along with son-in-law, James Wiley, and daughter-in-law, Kathleen Pfeiffer. Son-in-law, Ronald Myre, passed on in December 2013. Jim Pfeiffer is also the very proud grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of thirteen with another child on the way. Grandson, David Leonard, died shortly after his birth in 1975. James Pfeiffer is a man who truly personifies the qualities of: *Faith in God *Love of Country *Family *Lifelong Education *A “Never Give-up” attitude. He will be deeply missed and always remembered. We will look forward to seeing him again one day. Memorial Services and lnterment will take place at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA (off the 215 frwy) on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to the Wounded Warrior project www.woundedwarriorproject.org Service Riverside National Cemetery Staging Area #4 Monday 8/3, 10:00 am - 10:30 am Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery Staging Area #4 Thursday 1/1