In Loving Memory of James Francis Kosik

James Francis Kosik was born on July 16, 1947 in Compton, CA. He passed away July 26, 2023 after a short hospitalization at the age of 76. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Margaret Kosik. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela. He leaves behind stepsons Kevin (Carrie) and John (Romi) Neustadt, a well-loved niece, Adriana (Sean) Ketron, two grandsons Jonah and Sam Neustadt, and a great nephew, Oliver, as well as two sisters – JeanMarie (Alan) Ferguson of Thousand Oaks, and Cathie Mendoza of Beaumont CA.

Jim was born into a blue collar family in Compton, CA. He attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic school. It was November, 1960 when, as an 8th grader, he was elected class president. Headlines in the newspaper the next day read: JFK Elected President. He loved it! He briefly attended Pius X High School (the nuns did not appreciate his particular style of humor). He graduated from Paramount High School in 1965.

Upon graduation Jim worked at Douglas Aircraft. His association with the UAW (United Auto Workers) began here when he developed a strong interest in union politics. Through this avenue he met and began to work with Paul Schrade, President of the UAW. Schrade saw Jim’s strengths and intelligence and Jim soon became one of his trusted staff.

In June, 1968 Jim was with Schrade at the Ambassador Hotel the night Robert F Kennedy was assassinated and Schrade was wounded. Later that same year, Jim attended the Chicago Democratic Convention representing union workers with the goal to strengthen labor rights into the Democratic Party Platform. He witnessed first hand the riots of that night in Chicago. Also through the UAW, Jim met Eileen Kerrigan, whose father was the Director of the UAW on the East Coast. They married on Long Island in 1970.

Jim met Carole Neustadt while working on the McGovern campaign. They married and Jim welcomed her two sons, Kevin and John with open arms. He also moved away from politics to become involved with the management of mobile home parks. He, Carole and the boys moved to Sacramento to work on park legislation. Moving back to Southern California, Jim and Carole divorced. But Jim loved the boys and their relationship continued to grow through the years that followed. Kevin plays an intregal part of his life today.

At age 40, 1987 was a big year for Jim. He married Pamela Middlebrook, opened his first company, Glenneyre Management, and bought his first home on VanDyke in Laguna Beach. He later opened Hawkeye Asset Management. He remained head of the company until 2016 when he retired to take care of Pamela after she suffered an aneurysm. Jim and Pamela were married 34 years.

Jim also felt deeply about the other parts of his life. Family, friends, rescue dogs (especially his beloved Border Collies), Maui and Ka’anapali Coast, politics, nicknames for many of his favorite people, sodneys (Czech cabbage rolls served at Christmas), lox and bagels, incredible sunsets from his deck, and, of course, his many guns.

Unique, gregarious, and personable with a ready smile and laugh, Jim was a generous, kind-hearted softie, dedicated husband, father, brother, and adoring uncle. He was a loyal friend and deeply grateful for his many loving and supportive friends. His presence and resounding voice will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

We love you, Jim. Now and forever. You are missed so very much. The world is so much more quiet without you. Rest in Peace, Jim. Always in our hearts.....