James Balestra

Jim Balestra passed away unexpectedly at home in the early morning hours of June 5 with his daughters by his side. He was 82.

Born on March 17, 1944 in Fresno California, Jim was the first son and second child of Oliver and Julia (Givaudan) Balestra. His parents were the second generation of Swiss-Italian and French immigrants, newly arrived families who worked fruit orchards and dairies, contributing to the lifeblood of the California heartland. Though his parents often struggled, the family ranch in Clovis provided Jim with the rural upbringing, values and skills that would later lead him to have a ranch of his own. Caring for his horse, Cuffer, and early morning chores provided the foundation of his extraordinary work ethic and a deep love of the land and animals that he carried with him throughout his life.

Jim attended Jefferson Elementary and Clovis High School where he was the Senior Class President, class of 1962, active in FFA and surprisingly, drama. It was during high school that he met his future wife, Suzi. His car, a Pineridge Green 1956 Chevy, was one of many classics he owned and from which he learned to work on engines of all kinds.

Jim’s strong sense of fairness and respect for the law led him to a career with the California Highway Patrol. After attending Fresno State for three years, he joined the agency in 1966 and moved to Merced for his first assignment. After a short stint at the Fresno office, he moved his young family back to Merced in 1971, then to Atwater in 1979 and was assigned to the Merced area office for the remainder of his exemplary career, retiring in 2001. As the S-1 Sergeant, “JB,” as he was known, led by example and earned the respect of a generation of young officers for his integrity, professionalism and the fair application of justice.

A natural engineer and a capable builder, Jim constructed many outbuildings on his ranch property almost entirely by himself. There is not a tool he did not own and was known to purchase heavy machinery for a 45-minute job, then turn around and sell it for a profit. He had a large collection of antique tractors he enjoyed restoring and would ride his favorite Farmall Cub in the Atwater 4th of  July parade. Any stray dog or cat that wandered through his property would find food and water and eventually a place on his lap or sofa. Though he had a strict aversion to technology, Jim recently began consulting YouTube how-to videos when working on automotive projects with his grandsons.

Jim would trust you with a word and a handshake and could be trusted in return. He met life and death on his own terms. Jim Balestra, and men like him, are what made this country great.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Oliver and Julia, and the countless animals he loved and cared for. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Suzi, his daughters and sons-in-law, Jaime and Eric Anderson, Gina and Dan Stubbs, Joie and Hirrum Shetrone, grandchildren James and Jack Shetrone and Timmy and Lindsay Stubbs, his brother and sister-in-law John and Lola Balestra, and his sister Carole Isheim.

The family requests any donations in Jim’s name be made to the American Heart Association. It is our belief that the research accomplished before his first heart attack in 1985 saved him and continuing research doubled the years of his life.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at his ranch in Atwater at a later date.

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