James Ernest Bonner

JAMES ERNEST BONNER was born on Tuesday, 13 May 1930 in Bessemer, Alabama and raised in Birmingham. James was the fourth of ten children born to the late David Benjamin and Laura Bell Bonner. God called James to rest on Thursday, 29 December 2016. James was baptized at an early age at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and later became a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Seaside, California where he was a devoted usher and served as a member until his death. James attended Lincoln Elementary School and A.H. Parker High School and later graduated from the Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California. While attending high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served his country for 24 years. While stationed in Germany, James met the love of his life, Johanna Eleanore Mikloweit. They were married on 15 November 1957. They moved to Seaside in 1959. They were blessed with six children. James had a distinguished military career that included tours to Germany, Korea and Vietnam (where he received a purple heart). After retiring from the Army, he worked and retired from civil service. He was also a well-known sports official around the Monterey Peninsula and officiated until his early eighties. To his brothers and sisters and their families he was known as "Man" a nickname that stuck with him for life. To his immediate family and close friends he was known as "Good Jim." James was known for his bright smile and kind words. He was a true "Southern Gentleman." The thing he enjoyed most in life was spending time with family. He volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club in Seaside and at Friday and Sunday night bingo at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside for many years. He was active around the community and enjoyed going to the gym. Preceding him in death were his parents, David and Laura; his wife, Johanna; brothers, Bobby, Joshua and David; sisters, Helen, Martha, Lillie Mae and Erma; and niece Betty Jean. He leaves to cherish his memories: Five sons; Andrew (Anita), Oakland, CA; Charles (Ann), Sacramento, CA; George (Judi Heer), Gonzales, CA; Ernest (Carsie), Sacramento, CA; Robert (April), Sacramento, CA; and one daughter, Laura Ann, Gonzales, CA; sisters; Georgia Jones, Galveston, TX and Jacqueline (Richard ) Wiggins, Newark, NJ; grandchildren; John, Anthony, Lonetta, Brian, Christie, Thomas (T.J.), Ernest Jr., Johanna, Michael (Duncan), LaToya, Carsie (Paschal), Cassandra, Tatyana: a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances.