We think this is the correct information on James Frances ("Jim") Kerley. It is from the Social Security Death Records: KERLEY, JAMES F; born Jun 07, 1951; died May 17, 1995; Last residence: 94117 (San Francisco, San Francisco, CA)
Jim Kerley was a very good friend over the years, and I spent a lot of time with him during the high school years as well as after. I also knew his siblings, as we only lived 3 blocks apart. His older brother Chris was kind of part of the same crowd. I guess you'd say we were part of the counter culture - and didn't really fit into the traditional mold of the times.
When Jim was at MacArthur he was a good student and an excellent swimmer - which is where I think the athletes who weren't "jocks" could really excel.
Jim and Chris introduced me to Bob Dylan, Donovan, Joan Baez, and chanting. Jim, Chris and their oldest brother (whose name escapes me now) all spent time in the Carribean and liked to paint, primarily watercolors. They were both quite good.
Jim ended up in San Francisco and was pretty involved with the gay movement. When my wife and I were in LA in the early 80's, he came down to visit once and he was still very much the Jim I had always known. He worked as a courier for a bank in San Francisco for quite awhile. He was still doing art, and also got involved in the early stages of the mylar balloon craze. If I recall he spent a lot of his weekends on the pier in San Fran plugging those balloons.
Unfortunately Jim's choice of alternative lifestyle ultimately cost him his life - he died of AIDs in San Francisco. It was a shame, but Jim always stood up for what he believed in and was a very loyal friend. To those of us who knew him, I know he is missed.
David Dorsey
Jim Kerley was a very good friend over the years, and I spent a lot of time with him during the high school years as well as after. I also knew his siblings, as we only lived 3 blocks apart. His older brother Chris was kind of part of the same crowd. I guess you'd say we were part of the counter culture - and didn't really fit into the traditional mold of the times.When Jim was at MacArthur he was a good student and an excellent swimmer - which is where I think the athletes who weren't "jocks" could really excel.
Jim and Chris introduced me to Bob Dylan, Donovan, Joan Baez, and chanting. Jim, Chris and their oldest brother (whose name escapes me now) all spent time in the Carribean and liked to paint, primarily watercolors. They were both quite good.
Jim ended up in San Francisco and was pretty involved with the gay movement. When my wife and I were in LA in the early 80's, he came down to visit once and he was still very much the Jim I had always known. He worked as a courier for a bank in San Francisco for quite awhile. He was still doing art, and also got involved in the early stages of the mylar balloon craze. If I recall he spent a lot of his weekends on the pier in San Fran plugging those balloons.
Unfortunately Jim's choice of alternative lifestyle ultimately cost him his life - he died of AIDs in San Francisco. It was a shame, but Jim always stood up for what he believed in and was a very loyal friend. To those of us who knew him, I know he is missed.
Kenneth H. ("Ken") Pearce
We located this obituary for Jim Kerley: