David James Hastings

Obituary

Jim Hastings passed away at his home in Gilroy surrounded by family on February 14, 2024 at the age of 93. He was born on January 5, 1931 in Antelope, OR. The family recently gathered from across the country to celebrate Jim’s 93rd birthday.Jim grew up, the youngest of eight children, on a homestead in Antelope, OR. He held fond memories and shared many stories about his life growing up in Antelope. Upon graduating from high school, Jim moved to Portland, OR to attend the University of Portland, where he played football. Two years later, he transferred to the Oregon College of Education (OCE) in Monmouth, OR. It was at OCE, where he met and married his wife, Caroline. After graduation, they settled in Coos Bay, OR where Jim accepted his first teaching position. Three years later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After completing basic training, he was stationed in Baltimore, MD and then Oakland, CA. After his discharge from service, Jim accepted a teaching position in Santa Clara Unified School District at Scott Lane Elementary School. Jim and Caroline settled in San Jose where they started their family, welcoming son, John and twins, Cindy and Mary.Jim’s career in education spanned more than 40 years. While working as a teacher, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from San Jose State University, and began his career as a principal, first at Washington Elementary School and then C.W. Haman Elementary School in Santa Clara. Because of his expertise in special education, Jim was offered a position with the Oak Grove School District as the Director of Pupil Services in 1971, where he served for 22 years. While with Oak Grove School District, he held the positions of Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services and Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services. The joy of Jim’s life was working directly with students, teachers and school staff. He completed his career at Oak Grove School District as principal of Baldwin Elementary School. After his retirement in 1993, Jim continued to work in education, assisting in the coordination of a school parcel tax election, participating in ACSA as a retiree member and mentoring new principals. In retirement, Jim did what he enjoyed most, spending time with his children and grandchildren, completing projects around the house and traveling with Caroline. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and enjoyed cruises around the world. Jim is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Caroline, with whom he was married for 70 years. He is survived by his three children, John (Eloise), Cindy (Dave) and Mary (Dick); his grandchildren Kyle, Justin, Amy, Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Sebastian, Peter and Abigail, along with seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ed Hastings of West Linn, Oregon. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Alma Hastings, sister Frances McKay, and brothers Bud, Bob, Dick, Herb, and Bill Hastings. Jim will be dearly missed by family and friends.Memorial Service – Friday, March 1, 2024 10:00 am Darling Fischer Mortuary, 231 E. Campbell Avenue, CampbellPrivate Burial