Janes Major Heggli

Our brother, Jim passed away in his sleep last month. This came as a great shock as he was recently retired, an active golfer and very industrious with many home improvement projects.

Loved by many, James Major Heggli was born in Sacramento on October 23, 1959. His parents, Frank and Honorene welcomed little Jimmy into a home that already included a sister Heidi and a big brother, Chuck. The three were very close in age and made an adorable trio in their matching suits at the local country club or performing little ditties at their parents' Swiss events. Even at that young age, Jim would display his penchant for humor and irreverence. Once, when asked to pray for a man who had insulted his mother, he responded, "I'll pray all right, I'll pray he turns into an old dead toad!" Indeed, Jim had a talent for pithy wording and impeccable comedic timing. He was a handsome little chap and took a turn at childhood modeling. His visage graced a local billboard. He was very athletic, but was struck with Perthes disease which crippled him and forced him to spend two years in leg braces.

Jim attended Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School where he met the friends he would keep for his lifetime. During those years, he was an altar boy, played baseball at Whitney Little League and became a paper boy. He and his brother, Chuck, saved up the money they earned from slinging the Sacramento Bee to take the family to see the Swinging A's in the 1972 World Series. 

Later, he attended Jesuit High School and worked his first job as a locksmith. He became an avid skier and spent many wonderful weekends with his buddies shushing down the slopes and filling mountain cabins with hijinks and laughter. He attended Hayward University. There, ever industrious, he sold shirts of his own creation that read "Hay U!"

When his sister, Heidi, had children he became a devoted Uncle to them. So important was he in their lives, that he gained a new moniker and was called "Uncle" not just by them but by the rest of the family and their friends. Uncle went on several memorable trips to Hawaii with Heidi and her family and was always around to help out if something needed fixing.

He had now taken a job with the State of California as an accountant. He worked at the State for over 30 years. Even in a field as dry as crunching numbers, he managed to make work fun as he hosted the annual office Super Bowl pool.

Truly, he was a man of many talents. He quietly taught himself how to play the clarinet and the piano. He amazed as an undercover pool shark. He studied languages and even wrote a television screen play.

As the next generation of children entered Uncle's life, he delighted them with his playful spirit. Whether it was orchestrating a Christmas family sing-along by assigning each a choral role or fashioning complicated gifts constructed with secret trap doors, Uncle always had something up his sleeve. His love of family was strong. When his mother passed, he took on the Herculean role of settling her affairs. He thoughtfully dispersed her affects to each family member, taking time to contemplate who would most enjoy what. In retirement, he had many plans to refurbish his mother's house, travel with friends and family and of course play many rounds of golf.

Funny, clever, kind and forever enigmatic, his was a life that came to a close all too soon, leaving those that were closest to him crying, Uncle.

A celebration of the life and antics of James Major Heggli will take place next fall.