James "Jim" William Gonzales

James William Gonzales passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on August 12, 2025.

Jim, as his friends and family all called him, served his country in the US Navy from 1956 to 1961 on the USS Roanoke CL145.  Jim always loved the sea and was a natural fisherman.

Jim first met his wife Florence Catherine Rogers when he was just 13 years old. It was a few years later they started dating and then married in 1961. They lived in San Jose where Jim worked as a bank manager for Bank of America until he retired.  Jim and Flo welcomed their one and only child, Kevin James Gonzales, on Oct 13, 1966. Jim loved being a father.  He was the coach for his son’s soccer team for 8 years.  Jim also loved motorcycles and passed that love onto his son by teaching him how to ride.  He started with bicycle racing and then went onto motocross.  Jim always made a point to attend Kevin’s races.

The family moved to Capitola in 1973.  When Jim retired from the bank he opened up a second hand store in downtown Santa Cruz where he became well known as “Trader Jim.”  After Jim closed the store in 1998 he began having a regular spot at the Santa Cruz Flea Market. Jim was known for selling books and Hawaiian shirts.  After the Drive In Flea Market closed Jim began selling at Deanza College and the downtown Santa Cruz Flea Market.  Jim would always sell at the Moss Landing Antique Fair as well.  Jim had a passion for antiques and loved the interaction with all the people and enjoyed being on the lookout for second hand treasures to sell.

Jim and his wife both loved Halloween.  Every year they would deck out their house and were the most popular house in the neighborhood to visit.  They were written up in the paper a few times as the house to see.  One year a bunch of their masks were stollen and the neighborhood church daycare was so sad that they all pitched in money so Jim could replace what was stollen.  Everyone appreciated his efforts to bring the fun and spirit of Halloween to the neighborhood.

In 2007 Jim became a grandfather to Courtney Elizabeth Gonzales.  He doted over his new granddaughter.  Jim helped care for her up until she was 11 years old.  She was the apple of his eye and could do wrong!  When Courtney was in the 3rd grade, she had to do a poster of who she admired the most and she chose her grandpa.  They had a very close bond. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Florence Catherine Gonzales, his one and only son Kevin James Gonzales, his daughter-in-law Carrie Lynn Hall and his loving granddaughter Courtney Elizabeth Gonzales.

Jim will be missed by all who knew him and loved him!  Rest in peace Jim, you are with the angels now. God bless you.