JAMES ONSTOT

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-A private memorial service will be held for James “Jim” Melvin Onstot, 92, San Francisco, who died at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer their respects may provide a donation to the Veteran's Administration Volunteer Service at volunteer.va.gov.

Survivors include two nieces and a nephew; five great-nieces and nephews; a host of great-great-nieces and nephews, as well as his long-time friends, Mike and Winnie.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Perry Otis Onstot.

Mr. Onstot was born Aug. 29, 1924, in Lamar, Mo., to Perry D. and Goldia Mae (Adcock) Onstot. He was reared on a small family farm, where he learned the traditional values of hard work, integrity and devotion to friends and family. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and was assigned to Argus Unit 18, an elite group deployed in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Seaman 1st Class. Following the war, he moved to San Francisco, which he loved for its mild climate and proximity to a variety of outdoor recreation areas. He was employed in the elevator construction industry for 30 years and was a member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 8.

Mr. Onstot was an avid and accomplished outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish with his beloved dog, Bette. He was an outstanding mechanic, woodworker and metalsmith – there was nothing that he couldn't fabricate or repair. Hiding behind his quiet and serious demeanor was a quirky and impish sense of humor, an artistic desire to create and a truly big heart. He also loved challenging family and friends to a game of pool on his notoriously uneven pool table.