Dec. 17, 1944 - March 8, 2014
James Franklin Proctor, 69, of Carson City, passed away Saturday March 8, 2014 from complications related to a fall while on a trip in Los Angles. He was our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, nephew and cousin. Jim was a resident of Carson City for the past 26 years, relocating the family from Cerritos, California in 1987. Jim was born December 17, 1944 in Glendale, California to the late Don and Mary Ellen Proctor. He was the oldest of 4 children. He grew up and spent most of his childhood in Glendale, Tustin, and Orange County, Calif. He graduated from Tustin High School in 1963, then Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo in 1968 and 1971 with degrees in Agriculture and Biological Sciences. In 1969, Jim worked at the Safeway Egg Processing plant in Riverside, Calif. There he met the love of his life, Margaret. They married 10 months later on December 20, 1969, in Newport Beach, Calif. They recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. After graduation, Jim continued to work in the food science industry (at Kal Kan and Zachy Farms), but soon found that his passion for technology led him to an aerospace career in 1976. He worked at Morton Thiokol for 17 years as a Quality Engineer for the Patriot, Hellfire, and Sidewinder defense missile projects. He also worked on communication and weather satellites launched into orbit from the Space Shuttle in the mid 1980’s. In 1987, Jim took an opportunity to transfer to the Carson City Thiokol plant, as he longed for a small town life for his family closer to the beauty of Lake Tahoe an and the Sierra Nevada’s, breathe clear blue skies, and live a slower pace. As defense contracts slowed, he opened the Spice Islands quality assurance lab in Empire, Nevada in 1995. Jim then spent the next 12 years at Chromalloy in Carson City, remanufacturing a thermal barrier coating process used on all airline gas turbine engine parts manufactured today. Retiring in 2009, he spent time volunteering and then subsequently became a substitute teacher for the Carson City School District as Jim enjoyed helping kids learn. Over the last several years, Jim continued to work as a traveling contractor for ATK Defense Systems. He enjoyed his frequent business travels by air greatly, always taking in the views of the beautiful California Coastline from a window seat. Jim was an avid sports fan and a regular spectator at University of Nevada football, baseball, and basketball games. He also had a passion for being in the sky, having no fear of hot air ballooning, parasailing, or being in a small plane copilot whenever he vacationed or got the chance. He loved the outdoors, animals, camping, walks around Lake Tahoe and Spooner Lake, trains, working on cars, the weather, traveling, ham radio operation, and most of all.... his family and grandkids. Jim was a brilliant, kind, and caring man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a role model, devoted husband and father, beloved grandfather, brother, uncle, and great uncle. He will be deeply missed and his presence and spirit will always be in our hearts, until we all meet again. We will always love you. He was a member of the Capital Christian Church in Carson City. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Proctor of Carson City; Son and daughter-in-law Chris and Marilyn Proctor of Aurora, CO; son Michael Proctor of Carson City; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Jude Proctor of Lakewood, CO; sister and brother-in-law, Laurie and Randy Burks of Big Spring, TX; sister, Sheri Proctor of Big Spring, TX; grandchildren include Melanie Proctor, Tyler Proctor, Laylan Carrasco, and Emalee Proctor; numerous nieces and nephews. In keeping with Jim’s wishes, a simple Memorial Service will be held at Olivewood Memorial Park, 3300 Central Avenue, Riverside, California on April 21, 2014 at 11:00am with reception to follow at the Norton Younglove Community Center, 459 Center St., Highgrove, California at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Carson City Animal Shelter, 3770 Butti Way, Carson City, NV 89701, 775-887-2171.
