James Richard Gillem Sr., 70, passed away in Walnut Creek, CA on March 3rd, 2008. Jim was born in Fresno, CA to Luke and Mary Louise Gillem. They moved to San Diego and Oakland. He played the drums in his youth with the Oakland Weldonian Band and Jim graduated from Oakland High School in 1955. He was a founding member of the Oakland Knights Auto Club and he held several SCTA speed records in the 1960s set on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. He loved to drive and travel.

Jim met his wife, Hilde, while vacationing separately, in Tahiti. They found out that they both lived in the Bay Area and started dating 6 months later. Jim was a business entrepreneur in several trades involving car warranties and computer programming. He took over his father's business building Hydra-Tows and, during the drought of the 1970s, filled swimming pools. He enjoyed photography and left behind many photos of cars, flowers, and family memories.

James is predeceased by his parents and son, James Richard "Rick" Gillem Jr. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Hildegard Muller Gillem of Walnut Creek; son Mark Gillem (Sarah) of Eugene, OR; daughter Elizabeth Gillem of El Cerrito, sister, Nancy, of Watertown, NY, and 4 grandchildren. Jim is missed greatly by his family and many friends. A private memorial party was held in May.