Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi, RPV, & TO
Jim'‘s delightful adventures at Red Hill Lutheran Church and School lasted 16 years, from August 1970 through July 1986. The family then moved north when Jim found a position at First Lutheran Church and School (now Good Shepard Lutheran), 380 Arneill Rd, Camarillo, CA.
Jim trying the phone in his yet-to-be constructed office at First Lutheran School. He was principal here for three years, from 1986 through 1989.
Jim then took a position as principal and 8th Grade teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church / Trinity Lutheran Preschool / Good Shepherd Lutheran School at 2949 Alamo St, Simi Valley, CA. Simi Valley was a 40-minute commute for Jim, the longest of his career. Simi Valley was also considerably hotter than coastal Camarillo. The commute, the hear, and the fact that Jim ended up teaching not just Grade 8 but also Grade 7, resulted in only a two year stint. He was here from 1989 through 1991.
In an effort to remedy the less-than-favorable conditions in Simi Valley, beginning Fall 1991, Jim became principal at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, 1500 N C St, Oxnard, CA. He remained here for seven years, from 1991 to 1998. Ruth also returned to teaching at St. John’s.
In 1998, Jim and Ruth moved to San Pedro, where both worked at Christ Lutheran Church and School in neighboring Rancho Palos Verdes (28850 S Western Ave).
Jim participating in a jog-a-thon at Christ Lutheran School.
At the end of their first school year at Christ Lutheran School, Jim and Ruth celebrating the graduating class of 1999.
Another school celebration.
Jim and Ruth entering Papadakis Taverna in San Pedro to celebrate Jim’s 60th birthday in March 2000. Owner John Papadakis had a child who attended Christ Lutheran School. Always the commanding figure, John had been a starting linebacker at USC before opening the restaurant.
Papadakis was big, brash, and loud: breaking plates on the floor, dancing with waitstaff, and tossing dollar bills at belly dancers—all while a tuxedo-clad violinist played Sinatra. The restaurant famously hosted Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Hanks, Paula Abdul, and Pete Carroll. It was where Natalie Wood ate the night before she drowned off Santa Catalina in 1981. After 37 years of running the restaurant, John closed its doors in 2010.
Ever the self-imposed traffic warden, Jim was monitoring after-school traffic control at Christ Lutheran when his kids kidnapped him and drove him to Anaheim Stadium. Here Jim and Ruth are attending one of the 2005 American League Championship Series games. The White Sox ultimately bested the Angels by a 4-1 margin to advance to the World Series. The White Sox went on to sweep the Houston Astros. On Wednesday night, October 27, 2005, The White Sox won their first World Series in 88 years with a 1-0 victory over the Astros. Jermaine Dye drove in the final game’s only run and was named series MVP.
At Christ Lutheran School, Jim was principal and teacher for 9 years, while Ruth taught for seven. In 2007, Jim formally retired—marking a remarkable legacy of 45 years as a Lutheran educator and administrator!
The W Capitol Dr entrance to the Brett Place condominium (1410 Brett Pl, #131, San Pedro). where Jim and Ruth lived. Both enjoyed the 3-minute commute to Christ Lutheran School. Upon retiring in 2007, they continued to live here for one additional year. In 2008 they returned to 91 Camino Castenada, Camarillo, CA.
In 2014, Jim was asked to fill-in for one year as principal of Ascension Lutheran School, 1600 E Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA. This brought Jim to an astonishing 46 years of service as an educator.
Ascension Lutheran Church became Jim and Ruth’s permanent church home, where they continue to worship to this day.
