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Obituary

Obituary for James S. Albright

James was born to Samuel Albright and Annette Handel Albright in Lodi, CA. He lived his early childhood years in San Francisco where his father was a US Marshall. The family moved back to Lodi while he was still a boy. James spent the summers in Shafter where his grandfather, Chris Handel, and uncles farmed. His family eventually moved to Shafter where James graduated from Shafter High School in 1943. He immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps hoping to become a fighter pilot. He had received… his private pilots license at age 13. The Air Corps was no longer accepting air cadets so he volunteered for Gunnery School and became a waist gunner/radio operator assigned to a B17 bomber crew. He flew 21 missions over Europe before returning home in late 1945 to begin farming with the assistance of his grandfather.
Jim married his sweetheart, Marjorie Olson of Shafter, in 1949 and together they raised 3 daughters on the family farm northwest of town. The farming years were good to them and he retired in the late 1970s to devote his time to his lifelong interest in aviation, hunting and various hobbies. He owned numerous airplanes in his life and logged thousands of hours in the cockpit of both single and twin engine aircraft. Jim was known far and wide by friends and associates as a very accomplished pilot and also as an expert for his knowledge of post civil war pre 1900 firearms.
Jim owned A&K Helicopters Inc. together with his partner Jack Keineth, running a very successful business in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a former board member of the Shafter Wasco Irrigation District, and served 12 years on the Shafter Airport District Board, where he also served as interim District Manager for a couple of years. He was a former member of Lions Club and a member of the Shafter Historical Society.
In their retirement years Jim and Marge traveled extensively, even enjoying flights on the SST Concorde from New York to London and back and numerous other trips abroad. He loved and enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great grandchildren and they loved Papa (Momo).
Jim and Marge celebrated 65 years of marriage. He passed away in Bakersfield and is home with his Savior. The family is celebrating a life well lived, knowing we will see him again! He was preceded in death by Marge in 2015 and by his youngest daughter, Claire Albright Wallace in 2005. Jim is survived by his daughters Kathy and husband Michael Enns of Shafter, Kris and husband Rob Briney of Clovis, son-in-law Scott Wallace of San Diego, granddaughter Ellie and husband Brandon Fischer, grandsons, Patrick and wife Heather Briney, Micah and wife Brittany Briney, Stefan and wife Kristen Briney, 7 great grandchildren, his sisters, Maxine Mettler and Claudine Rodgers, cousins, nephews and nieces, and many friends.
The family expresses special appreciation to Jims caregivers, for the loving, attentive care from Melinda, Diana, Tammy, and Joyce. We are so very grateful to each of you. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to either Congregational Bible Church or Shafter Historical Society. We are so very grateful to each of you. Graveside Service for James Albright will be held at 10am on Monday November 6, 2017 at Shafter Memorial Park followed by Memorial Service at Shafter Congregational Church at 11am.