James Walker McIntyre

He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1946 and was adopted at six months by Helen and Wilbur McIntyre of Gunnison, Utah. When he was seven the family moved to California and settled on a small 2 acre Avocado ranch in Fallbrook, CA.  Jim’s father who owned McIntyre pharmacy in Escondido passed away when Jim was twelve and his mother raised him in Escondido where he graduated from Escondido High School in 1964.  During his first year of college, Jim met his wife Shelly while she was a junior at EHS.  They fell in love on their first date and were wed three years later on April 27, 1968. 

Jim and Shelly moved to San Marcos in 1978 and lived there until their sons were grown. In 2002, they moved to a 9-1/2-acre property with avocado and citrus groves in Valley Center. In 2004, Jim retired from Kyocera and, fulfilling a life-long dream, began his new career, happily working side by side with Shelly, enjoying the challenges and rewards of taking care of and harvesting the groves while frequently hosting friends and family to their “Shangri-La.” 

When not on his tractor in the groves, Jim enjoyed his model trains, Hot Rods and traveling the world with Shelly. He loved the Padres and was a die hard, life-long fan of the Chargers. A perfect Sunday for Jim was watching a game with his wife, family or friends while enjoying an ice cold beer.

Jim was a devoted husband and father who spent as much time as possible with his family- coaching his boys during their youth sports and taking them on countless camping trips. This strong bond with his sons continued into their adulthood as he joyfully became a Grandpa to his four grandkids.  They spent many fun-filled days running around in the grove and swimming in their pool with Grandpa Jim.

A devoted Christian, Jim attended Emmanuel Faith Community Church for decades and more recently Logos Christian Church.  His family finds comfort in knowing that he is with his Lord and Savior.

Jim is survived by his wife Shelly, his children Matt (Claudia) and Micah (Diana); his grandchildren Lucas, Jake, Ayla, and Tristan; and his biological brothers and sisters Brent, Cliff, Vicky, Sandy, and Peggy, which he found in 2001.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Scott, in 2019.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Logos Christian Church 27086 Banbury Drive, Valley Center, CA 92082 or the American Red Cross.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

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