The Life and Times The Life and Times of J.D. Vincentof J.D. Vincent

James David Vincent

November 7, 1917 — September 26, 2006

J.D. VincentJ.D. Vincent

U.S. MarineU.S. Marine

Airline CaptainAirline Captain

SkipperSkipper

ShutterbugShutterbug

Family ManFamily Man

LegendLegend

J.D. VincentJ.D. VincentNative of Tupelo, Oklahoma, J.D. had been a Native of Tupelo, Oklahoma, J.D. had been a resident of Richmond since he was 6.resident of Richmond since he was 6.

His family, uprooted by the recession after His family, uprooted by the recession after World War I, moved first to Fresno in 1921, World War I, moved first to Fresno in 1921, then followed the Santa Fe Railroad to then followed the Santa Fe Railroad to Richmond in 1923.Richmond in 1923.The family initially made their home at Ferry The family initially made their home at Ferry Point, where his father was the station Point, where his father was the station engineer for the railroad ferry to and from engineer for the railroad ferry to and from San Francisco.San Francisco.J.D. called the hills above Ferry Point ... J.D. called the hills above Ferry Point ... his his

“playground.”“playground.”

Jay joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 as a Jay joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 as a second lieutenant and C-47 pilot, and saw action in second lieutenant and C-47 pilot, and saw action in

the Pacific theatre during World War II.the Pacific theatre during World War II.

This is what our This is what our young Leatherneck young Leatherneck

looked like...looked like...

(Handsome devil, (Handsome devil, wasn’t he?)wasn’t he?)

Jay was Jay was honorably honorably

discharged from discharged from the Marine the Marine

Corps on Corps on Christmas Day, Christmas Day, 1945, with the 1945, with the

rank of Captain.rank of Captain.

After the war, he got a job as a After the war, he got a job as a pilot for the fledgling Philippine pilot for the fledgling Philippine Air Lines.Air Lines.

(During a run to Naga (During a run to Naga City, he met his wife-to-City, he met his wife-to-

be, Mercedes Jordana, at be, Mercedes Jordana, at the airport.)the airport.)

This is what This is what sheshe looked looked

like...like...

(Whoa, baby!)(Whoa, baby!)

Jay was assigned by Jay was assigned by Philippine Air Lines to Philippine Air Lines to Hawaii, on the trans-Hawaii, on the trans-pacific run between pacific run between Manila and San Manila and San Francisco. He and his Francisco. He and his sweetie, and baby sweetie, and baby daughter Tressie Ann, daughter Tressie Ann, set up housekeeping set up housekeeping in Honolulu, near in Honolulu, near Waikiki Beach. Sons Waikiki Beach. Sons Robert and Pat soon Robert and Pat soon followed.followed.

J.D. made a career as a commercial airline J.D. made a career as a commercial airline pilot and captain for various domestic and pilot and captain for various domestic and international air transport companies, flying international air transport companies, flying big jets for 40 years. big jets for 40 years.

In a few years, In a few years, J.D. and his J.D. and his growing family growing family moved back to moved back to his childhood his childhood roots in roots in Richmond, to be Richmond, to be near his mom near his mom and dad and his and dad and his older siblings, older siblings, J.A. and Lucille.J.A. and Lucille.

Jay loved his San Jay loved his San Francisco Bay, Francisco Bay,

and had and had developed a love developed a love for sailing since for sailing since

his youth. He his youth. He was an avid was an avid sailor and a sailor and a formidable formidable

competitor. He competitor. He had been a had been a

member in good member in good standing of the standing of the

Richmond Yacht Richmond Yacht Club for many Club for many

years.years.

This boat he built himself, in Hawaii...

He even built a He even built a dark-room in his dark-room in his basement, the basement, the better to practice better to practice and hone his craft.and hone his craft.

Jay loved the camera. Jay loved the camera. Not to be in front of Not to be in front of it, but rather behind it, but rather behind it. He was an it. He was an exceptional amateur exceptional amateur photographer. He photographer. He joined with others, joined with others, like the like the Viewfinders Viewfinders Camera ClubCamera Club and the and the Pinole Camera ClubPinole Camera Club, , to share and build his to share and build his skills, winning many skills, winning many awards in the awards in the process.process.

J.D. also became a J.D. also became a champion builder champion builder

and racer of and racer of radio-controlled radio-controlled model yachts, a model yachts, a

sport he enjoyed sport he enjoyed for many years.for many years.

Jay was a true champion Jay was a true champion in every sense. He was a in every sense. He was a

friend to all, happy to friend to all, happy to share his knowledge and share his knowledge and extend his friendship to extend his friendship to anyone who sought it. anyone who sought it. He would give you the He would give you the shirt off his back if you shirt off his back if you

needed it... even the gold needed it... even the gold off his teeth. He would off his teeth. He would never turn his back on never turn his back on

you. Fair and honorable you. Fair and honorable in all his dealings, he was in all his dealings, he was

a straight-shooter — a a straight-shooter — a man of complete and man of complete and

absolute integrity.absolute integrity.

Share with us now Share with us now these other photos these other photos

remembering J.D. and remembering J.D. and some of the people some of the people

whom he loved, and whom he loved, and who in turn loved him who in turn loved him deeply... and will miss deeply... and will miss

him dearly.him dearly.

““Okay, looks like Okay, looks like we’re fixin’ to we’re fixin’ to get ready to get ready to take a trip take a trip somewhere...”somewhere...”

““... with my ... with my in-laws in-laws even. even. Well, sure Well, sure glad they glad they like me. like me.

““Honey?”Honey?”

““I mean... I mean... they they dodo like me... like me... right, right, honey?”honey?”

Dad Dad hanginhanging out g out with with the the kids...kids...

The family was getting bigger. Life was good...

Didn’t Didn’t they they make…make…

… … the the cutest cutest couple??couple??

““Just me Just me and my and my honey...honey...””

The captain The captain is at the is at the controls.controls.

““Hmm... I wonder Hmm... I wonder why this gauge is why this gauge is spinning around spinning around like that...”like that...”

““Captain Vincent, Captain Vincent, you comin’ up you comin’ up here to fly this here to fly this plane, or are you plane, or are you just gonna take just gonna take pictures of it all pictures of it all day?”day?”

“Oh yeah, Mom and Dad Jordana gotta like me now. I made ‘em some grandkids!”

“Una más cerveza, por favor.”

“Here’s my three boys and me, on a trip up to Red

Bluff, huntin’ and fishin’ and campin’... doing stuff that

manly men do.”

““Don’t you just Don’t you just love a good love a good

party?”party?”

“Hangin’ out at home, enjoying my golden years.”

“Me and my best bud, Gordy Miller, having a little vino...”

“You’ll always be my hero, Jay!”

“I know. I love you

too, beautiful…

”

The Life and Times The Life and Times of J.D. Vincentof J.D. Vincent

James David VincentJames David Vincent

November 7, 1917 — September 26, 2006November 7, 1917 — September 26, 2006

The EndThe End