May 11, 1936 - August 6, 2021
Born on May 11, 1936 in Lodi, CA, James Oscar Rehn, with his curly blonde hair and rosy cheeks, was a delight for his parents, Oscar and Madelyn Rehn. Baby Jimmy had an older brother, John Richard, who quickly became his best friend. There are countless stories of the inseparable brothers’ adventures growing up in Lodi, including John assisting Jim’s recovery from polio by routinely putting him in the canal on the outskirts of town and driving to pick him up a mile away. Not only was this plan successful in strengthening his legs, Jim went on to become a skilled swimmer and water polo player in high school and college where he set a 1200 meter swimming record. However, like most of the brothers’ plans and schemes, this was kept secret from their adoring parents but legendary to the rest of Lodi.
Jim attended Saint Anne’s School, graduated from Lodi High School in 1954 and went on to receive an Associate’s Degree at Sacramento City College. He began his 50-year career as a successful stockbroker with Beckman Investment Securities in Lodi, where he enriched other people’s lives as well as their financial portfolios until his retirement in 2011.
Although Jim did not have any children of his own, he was a beloved surrogate parent and an extremely cool, suave, fun uncle and mentor to his brother’s two sons, James (his namesake) and Steev Rehn. Uncle Jim (aka Uncle O due to the shape of his stylish facial hair) was constantly supportive of his nephews, always their biggest fan, and loved them unconditionally. That devotion would extend to all of their relationships, significant others, extended families and friends throughout all of their lives.
In 1983, Jim met the love of his life, Cindy, and they instantly became inseparable. As a matter of fact, after only a couple of weeks, he was so eager to introduce her to his mother and brother that he brought Cindy with him to pick them up from the airport as they returned from a European vacation, much to their surprise and delight. They were married for more than 36 joyous years. Jim and Cindy‘s partnership was an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to know them. They were madly in love, truly devoted to each other, and they were each other‘s best friend. They traveled extensively together and spent time in Honolulu every April (the month of their anniversary) for the past 25 years where they would meet up with many of the same cherished, close friends year after year.
After meeting Cindy, Jim’s family grew to include more nieces and nephews that he adored. Tracy (Sam) Erkonen, Kelly Wool, Erica (Aaron)Schultz-Yakovetz, and Rick Schultz. He also had 14 great nieces and nephews that absolutely worshiped him. Sofia, Amanda, William, Ashlyn, Madison, Spencer, Bryantt, Margaret, Rhiannon, Eva, Kyle, Damien, Elena, and Aria.
To say that Jim was a beloved husband, family member, friend, cat dad and community member would be an understatement. He was charming, intelligent, kind, funny, sensitive, generous and had a capacity to love and an openness to enjoy life that was treasured by anyone whose life he touched. Despite being such an extraordinary man, he was very modest and unselfishly spent a lifetime making other’s happiness his priority. In Lodi, the city he treasured and called home for his entire life, he died on August 6, 2021. He was 85. The world is a much better place because of Jim Rehn and he will continue living on in the hearts of the many people who loved him and whose lives he touched.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 16th at 10:00 am at the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ‘Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California’ in his name. Jim always felt that their care was the reason he could walk after having polio as a child .
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Rehn family.
