James Daniel GessJune 14, 1967-July 31, 2013 Resident of San RamonJames Daniel Gess, 46, of Vallejo, California, died July 31, 2013, in his sleep of natural causes. He was born June 14, 1967, in Berkeley, California. He attended Moraga schools and was graduated from Campolindo High School in 1985. He was graduated from San Francisco State University in 1990, with a BS in Audio Engineering. Last year he became associated with local 16 in San Francisco and was happily continuing his career as an Audio Visual Technician. A self-taught musician Jim played the guitar and harmonica. His performance instrument was always the harmonica as he played the Blues that he dearly loved. He worked five years for the "Zazu Pitts Memorial Orchestra" operating their monitors. At every performance they brought out the "Harmonica Man" to play one song. He was always thanked with wild applause. He was an integral part of the Blues scene, sharing the stage with amateurs and professionals.He loved the desert and shared his passion for the nature and wildlife of the Southwest region with his friends and family. His first choice for a vacation was a trip to the Mojave. He attended St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Livermore. His priest, Father John, along with his wife, Eva, and his fellow parishioners inspired his life of faith.Preceded in death by his Mother Hollie, Jim is survived by his father, Victor, of Lafayette, his sisters Cynthia Jorgensen, (daughter - Kelsey) of Discovery Bay, Catherine (Michael) Mullenberg, Walnut Creek, his love, Laurie Richardson and his sweet little black Pug Anastasia of San Ramon. He leaves his Uncle Robert (Merna) Gess, Aunts Lorraine Morrison, and Helen Robbins, of Montana. Cousins Lyndon (Charlene) Amestoy, Heather Johnson, Pam (Scott) Tomchick, Jule (Gary) Glasrud, Michael (Marisa) Morrison, Sandra (Scott) Olsen, Shannon (Jody) Benckner, and Deanna (Shilo) Shumway all of Washington, Montana and North Dakota. He is also survived by many close friends and several other cousins on the East Coast.A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 8th, 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church 2425 Olivera Road Concord. Interment will follow the service at Oakmont Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Saturday, August 31 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church 433 Orinda Way, Orinda, California.
Published in Contra Costa Times on August 6, 2013