Obituary of James Clifford Quaintance

James Clifford Quaintance, Cupertino resident, passed away suddenly on September 8th after a major heart attack. He was 53 years old. He was born August 25, 1958 in Riverside, California. He also lived in Texas, Columbus, Ohio, Torrance and Saugus, California. He was a resident of Scotts Valley from third grade through high school. In 1969, Jim joined the Scotts Valley Troop 604 as a tenderfoot, and achieved Eagle Scout when he was 17 years old. He worked in food service staff at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center starting out in "the Pit" as a dish washer to being Catering Chief to Redwood Camp. He graduated from Soquel High School in 1976. Jim attended Cabrillo College and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, in 1982. He worked at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space. He married in 1983 and had two children, Alan and Alyssa Quaintance in Felton, California. Jim loved to make people laugh. He was always ready to have a good time, and loved to take frequent trips down to Disneyland. He loved to cook... from German Sauerbrauten and spaetzles, to Mexican Chimichangas and stuffed jalepenos. When he wasn't cooking he liked to go to Capitola and eat "beach pizza". He loved the Minnesota Vikings and was preparing for opening day of the NFL on the day he died. Jim loved to jog, ski, fish, camp and participate in triathalons. He sky dived over the Monterey Bay. He loved driving his red Saleen mustang and chauffeured the grand marshal in the Memorial Day Parade in 2003. He attended Santa Cruz Bible Church and Venture Church in Los Gatos. Jim was preceded in death by his brother Scott Dean Quaintance, and his father Clifford Ivan Quaintance. He is survived by his two children, Alan James, and Alyssa Marie Quaintance; his mother Marilyn Quaintance; his brother Paul Quaintance; his sister-in-law Agnes, niece, and nephews. A memorial gathering took place at a graveside service at Santa Cruz Memorial cemetery and an internment service on board the Chardonnay to place his ashes in the Monterey Bay, September 20th. There will be a Celebration of his life on October 8th at the Quaintance home in Felton. Memorial contributions can be made to Wells Fargo Bank, Scotts Valley, for a memorial bench in his honor.