James Popin
Obituary
James Popin was born in San Francisco, California on May 25, 1937 to James and Jean. He lived in Sebastopol through grammar school, where he and his family raised chickens and a cow, and maintained a Gravenstein apple orchard.
Jim returned to San Francisco and attended Polytechnic High School where he played football and met his future wife, Nancy Noshkin. While attending UC Berkeley, Jim continued to play football and participated in ROTC. After graduation he completed his service in the Marine Reserves. He then earned an LL.B. from Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law SF).
Jim's career as a lawyer in Santa Cruz County included assistant district attorney, director of the Legal Aid Society and general private practice. He served on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees and in his free time he enjoyed camping and backpacking with family and friends in the California wilderness.
Jim and Nancy returned to San Francisco where he pursued his interest in philosophy and opera. He was a member of the Poly Grid Club and enjoyed reconnecting with his high school teammates.
Jim died on November 25, 2023. He is survived by his wife Nancy, son Timothy and daughter Tamra, and grandchildren Aurelia, Devlin and Zobek.
Published in The Pajaronian · November 30, 2023