JAMES O. BRUSTMAKER
April 26, 1928 ~ October 2, 2023
Jim passed away peacefully listening to Doris Day singing, with his daughters by his side. Whether you called him Jim, Dad, Pop, Grandpa, Uncle Jim, Mr. B., or Chief, he will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. He was born in 1928 in a small town outside of Bay City, Michigan. His parents owned a general store out in the country. He was the baby of 4 sisters and 2 brothers. He enlisted in the Navy in 1947. He, his wife, and children traveled, living on Navy Bases all over the United States; Florida, Texas, California and Michigan. He was in Vietnam during 1965 – 1966 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. He retired in 1968 after serving over 2 years as a Navy Recruiter in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Upon retirement, the family relocated to San Diego, where he began a second career with Civil Service on North Island Navy Base as a Planner and Estimator for base shops. He and his wife enjoyed raising their children, traveling, being in a bowling league, and seeing both daughters marry. During this time he also went back to college on the GI Bill, graduating with a bachelor degree. He then retired again in 1986, and continued to enjoy playing senior citizen softball, bowling and traveling overseas. He bought into a hardware store and worked there part time.
He fit the title perfectly ~ An Officer and a Gentleman. He was always known for his wit, sense of humor, love of his family, being a true friend and always loving his beer. He broke his right hand playing softball the day before his youngest daughter’s wedding, but that didn’t stop him from shaking hands over and over. However in his left hand he always had a cold beer to numb the pain.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, John and Eva Brustmaker and his sisters, Orpha (Louie) Stein, Faye (Jack) Rouech, Vera (Kelly) Ellison, and Iris Brustmaker and his brothers Lyle (Inez) Brustmaker and Jack (Evelyn) Brustmaker. Pre-deceased by his loving wife of over 25 years, Bonnie (Holmes) Brustmaker, his son Mark Lee Brustmaker, and his second wife, Sharon Ball. Also, pre-deceased by many old Navy buddies, which he maintained friendships (and raised hell with) for decades.
He is survived by his children, Debbie Lord-Alexa (Johnny), James Scott Brustmaker and Dana Brustmaker. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew (Claudia) Lord, J. Marc (Shannon) Lord, Arthur Avitia III and James A. Avitia, and his Great-Grandchildren Kyle, Isaac, Levi, Jackson, Samuel, Rylaigh, Delaney and Cullem Lord along iwth generations of nieces and nephews.
There will be a private celebration of life where his ashes will be scattered over the Pacific Ocean in January 2024 “beer will flow”. A special thank you to Ivy Park Assisted Living Bonita and Comfort Peace Hospice Care for their wonderful, gracious and loving care they showed our father in this last year. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in his memory.
