Jim Lee "Red" Upshaw Obit

The Bakersfield Californian
30 November 2003

JIM LEE UPSHAW
"RED"

Services: Tues., Dec. 2, 1 p.m.

Chapel services will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. A
visitation will also be held on Monday, December 1, 2003, from 4-8 p.m.

Jim was born on May 14, 1932, in Muskogee, OK, and went to be with the Lord
on November 24, 2003.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Jessie Upshaw; father, Burt Upshaw; and
brother, Bill Upshaw. He is survived by his loving mother, Marie Upshaw,
daughters, Debra Leasure of Atascadero, CA, Rannah Baker of Bakersfield, CA,
Sabra Sandeffe of Atascadero, CA; sister, Freeda Hudson of Mtn. Home, AR; brother,
Doug Upshaw of Taft, CA; and eight loving grandchildren.

A man of many trades. Jim Upshaw married Marlene Belcher, the mother of his
3 daughters. He was employed by Judge OW Bryan as a TV repairman and clerk at
his hardware store in Earlimart, CA. He moved his family to Delano, CA and
was the owner operator of the Shell Service station on Hwy. 99 for 15 years.
After selling the business, he sold cars for Just Chevrolet where he achieved
Top Salesman for several years. He then purchased 40 acres in Earlimart where
he grew alfalfa and almonds while being the owner of Country Hardware. He
sold the farm and the store and moved to Redding, CA, where he met and married
his 2nd wife, Jessie Marie Palmer. He purchased Marathon Coach, a failing
business in Eugene, Oregon, and turned it into a flourishing business. He also
bought and restored an RV Park on Shasta Lake. He was a friend and advisor to
Merle Haggard world renowned singer/sonwriter.

Jim Upshaw was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a teacher, a
mentor, loving husband, son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend.
He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,
Leukemia Clinic, (713) 792-7000.

www.dignitymemorial.com

HILLCREST Memorial Park & Mortuary
The Bakersfield Californian