James Abear
JUNE 17, 1943 – APRIL 16, 2023
Aloha Nui Loa. (Greetings with much love.) Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, James (Jim) “Kimo” Abear of Lake Elsinore, CA passed away suddenly on April 16, 2023. He was 79 years old.
Born (on June 17, 1943) and raised in beautiful Hawaii, relocating to the Mainland after serving in the United States Army then settling in Southern California.
IRWA Chapter 1 Tribute to Jim “Kimo” Abear
I met Jim Abear in October of 2007 when he was a Land and Right of Way Agent working as an embedded contractor at BP/ARCO/Tesoro until he retired in 2016. Jim had 40 years of experience and knowledge in the Land and Right of Way field. Besides being an expert in his field, Jim always had a smile on his face and loved to talk about his family. He enjoyed working in his yard outdoors with Karlene Abear, his wife, and he made sure there were no weeds in their garden. Everybody loved Jim…he was a people person. My daughter adored Jim…she would come to the office with me sometimes when she was only five or six years old, and she loved to sneak over to Jim’s desk to give him a drawing or just talk to him. Jim would tell me later that she would say, “Don’t tell my mom I came over here”! Jim just laughed and would say how he thought that was so funny. I stayed in touch with Jim over the years by text and phone calls. It was so nice to receive his funny text videos and have an enjoyable conversation about life. Jim lived his life to the fullest and brought joy and laughter to so many people with his kind and generous heart! I remember is cheerful voice saying Hau’ole Makahikl Hou (Happy New Year) the best is yet to come!!! Jim is remembered for his positive energy, love of people and life. Go
Preceded in death by his parents, Meliton and Sabina Abear and four older brothers: Willie, Nick, Ted, and Felix Abear. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 31 years, Karleen. His son, AJ Abear (Melissa) and daughter Stephani Shambaugh-Simas (Mike). His grandchildren, Nick Shambaugh (Lauren), James Abear, Sydni Abear, Madeline Simas, Karlie Simas, Reagan Setzler, and Ross Setzler. His great-grandchildren, Chase Abear, and Liam Setzler. His sisters, Carmen Aranaydo, Della Nagata (Oscar) and Miguela Barcina (Pete). His sisters-in-law, Connie, and Pat Abear. Numerous nieces and nephews. And countless friends that he considered to be Ohana (family), as well.