Obituary of James Albert Riutcel

James Albert Riutcel was born July 20, 1938 at Spokane, Washington. The only child of Lloyd and Josephine (Standahl) Riutcel, Jim spent his early childhood at Coeur d’Alene Idaho, with his mother and maternal uncle during World War II. After the war the family moved to Fullerton, California where Jim went to elementary and high school. Jim was married and had 4 children with Judy Lee Parsons until 1969. He was the primary custodial parent of the youngest three. Jim loved taking his kids on vacations including packing up the station wagon with a 5 motorcycle trailer in tow, to enjoy the beaches of to San Felipe, Mexico. He also took his family on yearly river trips, boating, waterskiing and riding jet skis on Lake Havasu. On weekends he would sometimes take his hot rod to car shows and invite the family. But what gave Jim the most enjoyment was his boat “The Bottom Line” harbored at Oceanside, California. The boat got its nickname because although he tried to be patient with his kids, he often would ask “What’s the bottom line?” Jim was married to Carlene Mae (Kazmar) Freeman from 1978-2001 and had three adult stepchildren. Jim had a 30+ year career selling cabinets to large real estate developers. He was a natural born salesman, being their number one salesperson. He enjoyed great success as an investor and builder, developing commercial and residential properties. Whether working or playing, Jim was always active and driven. He loved to have fun and his laughter was contagious. Jim was a person of great responsibility. He shared his last few years with Nohora Bernal. They married on 4/12/12 and gained a step daughter and grandson who he lived with in La Cresta, California until his passing due to complications after a heart valve transplant. His is survived by his 3 wives, 4 children, 2 step-children, 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren. Jim was a man of his word, a man of wisdom and a man of love to all who knew him!