James “Jimmy” Vierra, 75, of Stevinson, passed away October 28, 2024 in Gustine. Jimmy was born in rural Gustine on January 12, 1949 to Clarence and Wilhelmina Vierra. Jimmy was the twelfth of fifteen children. For years Jimmy told the story that one of his brothers was born in the barn, but he discovered in his early 60’s that he was the “Vierra kid” born in the barn! Jimmy was a lifelong resident of the small community of Stevinson.
Jimmy grew up on the family dairy and learned about hard work at an early age. That work ethic stayed with him his entire life. He transitioned to construction work when the dairy was sold in the early 7O’s. Jim was proud to drive through the communities of Stevinson, Hilmar, Turlock, and the Westside and point out the barns and outdoor structures he built for the local dairy owners and farmers. He loved seeing his completed projects and passing on the knowledge he learned from the “old timers” who told him some of the local history and the earlier “booming” years of Stevinson.
Even after he retired in 2011, he never stopped working and building. He would say he was the busiest retired guy he knew! Although he kept busy, he made time to watch his favorite game show, The Price is Right. If his phone rang between 10 to 11 AM, there was a good chance he wouldn’t answer it.
Jimmy worked hard, but he also made time for fun. His family and friends were always included in the fun, and the laughter and good times will always be remembered. Whether you knew him as Uncle Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimbo, Jim, or some other name, he had an incredible knack of making people feel they had been friends for years after their first encounter, and he often said, “You’re my friend for the rest of my life, unless you do something to change it:’ Jimmy spent as much time as he could outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, riding horses, and driving his Jeep in the hills, with his beloved dog Buddy standing on the middle console and barking nonstop at every animal he saw or smelled. He made it to deer seasons in the hills and in the Sierras for the past 50+ years. Every summer he would say, “If someone sends a wedding or party invitation and the date is during deer season, they must not want me to be there."
He is survived by his partner Barbara Adams, his brothers Cliff (Sandy), Bob (Monica), Eugene, Dave (Rosemary), and Ron, and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Mina, siblings Frank, Bernadine, Clarence, Darlene, Richard, Leroy, Delbert, Shirley, and Lloyd. Buddy crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2011, and Jimmy never owned another dog. He said there could never be a way to replace him because he was one of a kind. Everyone can agree he was just like his owner - one of kind.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6th from 5:00-6:00 pm, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 pm, at Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 7th at Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Sunnyside Cemetery In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Miracles Catholic School (370 Linden Ave., Gustine, CA 95322) or Holy Rosary Catholic Church’s Holy Rosary Building Fund (P.O. Box 429, Hilmar, CA 95324). Rest in peace, Jimmy. All your projects are done, you’re all caught up, and now you’ve gone to the hills.
Services conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel, Gustine.
