WARE, JAMES F.

James (Jim) Floyd Ware, 93, passed away October 21, 2017 in Bakersfield, California.

Jim was born in Flint, Michigan on January 26, 1924 to Lonnie Ware and Oma Perry Ware. Jim came to Bakersfield at a young age and graduated from Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield College and has a degree from the University of Redlands. Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps prior to the start of World War II. He was transferred to the Pacific War Zone. He was assigned to a special Marine landing force, “The First Marine Raider Battalion” as a machine gunner. He participated in one raid on a South Pacific Island and later fought on the islands of Guam and Okinawa. At the end of the war Jim participated in the surrender of the Japanese army in northern China. After the war Jim roughnecked in the local oil fields, until he was recruited as a lawman for the Bakersfield Police Department. Jim attained rank of captain in the police department. He was project coordinator for the construction of the new police building. Jim retired after 28 years of service. Jim later built homes in Arroyo Grande, California along with being planning commissioner for the city of Ridgecrest Jim also formed a committee that became the Inyo-Kern Airport District. Jim never really retired. He was an avid airplane pilot, owned several small businesses and loved to refurbish commercial buildings in downtown Bakersfield. Jim served as foreman of the Kern County grand jury, president of the Downtown Business Association, president of the Kern Kiwanis Club, and chairman of the Salvation Army service center, he also spearheaded efforts to obtain public ownership of the Fox Theatre. Jim was baptized and became a born again Christian in 1994 and from then on Jesus was the focus of his life.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Winifred Akard Ware.

Jim is survived by his step children Jeannie Renfro and husband Ernie, of Camano Island, Washington, grandson Christian Logan, of Bakersfield, California, granddaughter Danna Brumley, Bainbridge Island, Washington, grandson Sean Logan of Spokane, Washington, Claudine Hutchison of Bakersfield, California, Kelly Hutchison, wife Larraine and grandson Sean Hutchison of Bakersfield, CA, Peri Carroll and husband Roy, granddaughter Kaitlin Carroll, grandson Cameron Carroll, granddaughter Maddison Carroll, and grandson Jackson Carroll of Bakersfield, California. The family would like to thank Holistic Care Home for all the support and special care they gave to Jim. You are really special people. We would also like to thank Hoffman Hospice for the support they gave Jim and the family.

Visitation will be held at Greenlawn on River Blvd, Thursday, October 26th, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. A memorial service to be held at Grace Baptist Church, 2550 Jewetta Avenue on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. In Lieu of flowers the family requests making donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.