Obituary of James Darrel Fosdick

***** A Celebration of Life will be held on June 7th, 2021 from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at "The Grove Restaurant", 7511 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister.***** James Darrel Fosdick passed away April 16, 2021 after a courageously fought battle with cancer at the age of 74. Jim (Fearless Fosdick) lived his life to the fullest. He was born June 7, 1946 in Bloomington, Illinois. Due to his father’s State Farm career, his family moved around a lot during his childhood. Living in Alabama is where he developed his signature Southern accent. He graduated from Lincoln Southside High School in 1965. He went on to earn a degree from Kearney State College in Nebraska where he was a member of the fraternity Sigma Epsilon. His first job after college was in Washington, D.C. where he worked a year as an accountant for the U.S. government. He couldn’t stand the air pollution in D.C. so he headed back to Nebraska. Jim worked at several banks in Lexington, Neb., before he started a 45-year career with State Farm Insurance as an agent on Oct. 1, 1976. He joined California Agency Leadership in February 1984. That opportunity, along with warmer weather, helped to spur his move from Nebraska to the Golden State. He and his family lived in Scotts Valley before moving in 1989 to Hollister where he returned to his passion of being a local State Farm agent, serving this community for 32 years. Jim took great pride in his agency and helping customers. With State Farm, he qualified for numerous awards. He’s a member of the Lifetime President’s Club. Jim won Agent of the Year several times in an illustrious State Farm career spanning a total of 45 years, and he received his LUTC and LUTCF designations. His dedication to others also was on display through Jim’s enduring commitment to the Rotary Club of Hollister. He first joined the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz in 1985 and became a Hollister Rotary member in 1989. He was very active with Rotary, serving as a board member and receiving numerous Paul Harris Awards for his contributions to the Rotary Foundation. He was elected board president in 2019-20. Jim was one of the top fundraisers every year for the Mission 10, bringing in thousands of dollars in sponsorships. He also contributed to the community by donating to our community’s nonprofit organizations year after year. As an additional testament to their respect: After his passing, the club announced it will give a Jim Fosdick Memorial Scholarship in his name this year. Remembrances from his fellow club members underscored their collective admiration. They referred to him as an amazing man, the real deal, completely authentic, loved by his family and a true community advocate. They mentioned how they will miss his jokes, wit, wise counsel, friendly soul, heart of gold and that deep Alabama accent. Many people highlighted his kindness and how he would give you the shirt off his back. He was friendly and talkative to just about everyone, even if he didn’t know the person. His children remembered Jim as a protector, mentor, best friend, being kind, generous and loving. He taught them to be strong, to learn from their life choices and passed on his adventurous spirit, and they will continue their father’s legacy. As family and friends knew, his personality was loud and bold. When it came to charity, though, he was quiet about his giving. Jim was a sportsman and adventurer, to say the least. His ultra-competitive nature always came to life on the links. He was an excellent golfer. His father taught him the game — they won many tournaments together back in Nebraska — and Jim passed on the love of golf to his son Robert, his favored golf partner. He was an avid skier and scuba diver, teaching all of his children and passing on his adventurous spirit. His passion for running was inherited by Carrie who is a marathon runner. His family’s favorite skiing spot was North Star in Lake Tahoe, and he would hit the slopes two weeks every winter — all over the U.S. and even Canada — with his three best skiing buddies. He was a pilot who owned his own airplanes. He was a Harley-Davidson enthusiast and always attended the Hollister motorcycle rallies. He was always looking for his next adventure and was an avid Bay Area sports fan. He coached all of his children in their sports when they were younger and loved watching his granddaughter Ayva play softball. He loves his Ridgemark weekend walks with Angela and grandson Ace, greeting all his neighbors. He will be missed by his office staff; his countrywide State Farm friends and associates; his faithful clients; the Rotary Club of Hollister; and many dear lifelong friends in the community. He was also a member of the Elks Club, San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, Hollister Downtown Association and United Way of San Benito County Allocations Committee. Despite his passing, his legacy of giving will live on forever. Jim was predeceased by his parents Darrel Jerome Fosdick and Martha Jane Fosdick; sister Mary Grimes; and son John Fosdick, Mary Jane Fosdick (Mother of his children). He will be deeply missed by Janice Wagy Fosdick, his beautiful, the love of his life, soul mate and best friend and children Carrie Fosdick (Chris), Robert Fosdick, Kristin Fosdick and Angela Fosdick. Jim was extremely proud of his children and always had them in his heart and mind. Jim is further survived by beautiful granddaughters Jazmine Fosdick, Celeste Fosdick, Jaynie Fosdick and Ayva Fosdick; his only grandson Ace (“PaPa’s biggest admirer and speed bump buddy); siblings Sue Fosdick (twin sister), Michael Fosdick (Jane Ann), Kathy Decker (Bob), Timmy Fosdick (Sandy) and Jayne Brende (Daryl); and numerous nieces and nephews. A private family mass is planned for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tres Pinos. A Celebration of Life for family and friends is being planned for a later, undetermined date. Memorial donations can be made to the United Way of San Benito County Community Fund in Jim Fosdick’s name. God has him in His arms, and we have him in our hearts.