James Edward SLOSSON

Male 1923 - 2007  (84 years)


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  • Name James Edward SLOSSON  [2
    • Jim and Nancy Slosson
      JIM AND NANCY SLOSSON Departed together, April 28, 2007, and April 27, 2007, on their final journey to the Warner Mountains Nancy Jane (Samuel) Slosson, 82, a long-time resident of Sherman Oaks, California, passed away April 27, 2007, from complications of congestive heart failure. Nancy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 1924. Nancy spent her early childhood in Douglas, Arizona, where her Welsh-born father, John Moore Samuel was a mining engineer, and her mother, Gladys Doane Samuel, was a school teacher. She moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Los Angeles High School and the University of Southern California. Nancy was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority at USC and graduated with a BS in Business and Marketing in 1947. Nancy was an avid Trojan football fan, rarely missing a home game in over 65 years. While at USC, she met and married James Edward Slosson. Nancy was a wildlife enthusiast and actively supported the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Zoo, as well as other zoos across the country. Her favorite animal was the Sea Otter, and she contributed to the Long Beach Aquarium Sea Otter Exhibit. Nancy and Jim were active supporters of USC Track and Field for their entire adult life. Nancy served as President and Business Manager for her husband's consulting geology practice, Engineering Geology Consultants, for over 30 years. Nancy was active in civic affairs, including the Federation of Republican Women's Club of the San Fernando Valley and the Carrousels, a San Fernando Valley service organization. Nancy was a volunteer at the Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys. Believing in public service, Nancy and Ji m often hosted and organized candidate and public forum events in their home and at their favorite Topanga Canyon retreat, the Trippet Ranch. Nancy also volunteered on many local and municipal campaigns. James E. Slosson, Ph.D., a native of Van Nuys, California, passed away the next day, April 28, 2007 at the age of 84 after a lengthy illness. They moved down the road as they had in life: together. Jim Slosson was born April 12, 1923 in one of the first ranch houses in Van Nuys. He graduated from Van Nuys High School, where he excelled in track competitions. He graduated from the University of Southern California and pursued his passion for track and field events, as well as an eventual profession in geology. Jim Slosson was a three-year varsity letterman on the USC track team in 1946, 1947 and 1948. In 1947, Jim married Nancy Jane Samuel, and began a life together that spanned 60 years. Jim served in the U.S. Army during World War II, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He also served as a reserve in the Naval Reserve and the California National Guard. Jim graduated from USC in 1950 with a Master's degree in Geology. After graduation, Jim was an assistant track coach at USC from 1955-1962, under the direction of Coaches Dean Cromwell and Jess Hill. He coached Max Truex, who competed with the U.S. Olympic Team in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome games. Mel Hein was a member of the USC track team under Assistant Coach Slosson, excelling at the pole vault. Jim took joy in the many accomplishments of his student athletes and pupils, maintaining long relationships with many, near and far. In 1958, Jim received his doctorate from the University and began his career in geologic consulting. Jim was a charter faculty member of Los Angeles Valley College, serving as Professor of Geology and Chair of the Geology Department at Valley College from 1975-1984. He also served as California State Geologist and Chief of the Division of Mines and Geology from 1973 to 1975. As State Geologist, he introduced a series of Guidelines for Practice, which had enormous impact on raising the standard of care of engineering and environmental geologists, not only in California, but nationwide. Dr. Slosson worked for the City and County of Los Angeles and the State of California. Dr. Slosson helped develop and pass the Seismic Safety Commission Act of 1975, which established the State Seismic Safety Commission to advise the Governor, State Legislature, state and local government on ways to reduce earthquake risk. He serve d on the Seismic Safety Commission for 8 years. James also served on the State Board of Geologists and Geophysicists. James was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Geological Society of America for 2 years and on the Board of Directors of the Dibblee Geologic Foundation. Dr. Slosson had published over 100 articles emphasizing the geologic processes associated with landslides, sedimentation and flooding. Jim and Nancy never missed a USC/UCLA Dual Track Meet. In fact, James watched the 2007 Dual Track Meet with his beloved family in his hospital room the day he passed away. Jim and Nancy are survived by their daughter, Bonnie Slosson and her husband, Michael D'Onofrio, of Sacramento; their son, Thom Slosson, his wife, Lynn, and two grandchildren, Clint, 21, and Katelyn Slosson, 18. Jim is survived by his brother Jack Slosson and his wife, Eleanor, of Carmichael, CA. Jim and Nancy also shared their love with godson Gary Hein and his family of Walnut Creek, and the entire Hein family. In lie u of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations: Trojan Force of the USC Track and Field, Dr. James Slosson Academic Achievement Award, Attn: Ron Orr, USC Heritage Hall, Los Angeles, California, 90089-0602; Los Angeles Valley College Foundation, 5800 Fulton Ave., Valley Glen, CA 91401, Attn: Slosson Memorial; Richard O. Stone Scholarship Fund, USC College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, ADM 204, Los Angeles, California, 90089-4015; Likely Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 515, Likely California, 96116; and Great Basin Institute, PO Box C, Cedarville, California, 96104. Private celebrations of the lives of Jim and Nancy Slosson are being planned by the family at USC and Likely, California.

      Published in Los Angeles Daily News on May 13, 2007 [1]
    Birth 12 Apr 1923  Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Gender Male 
    Census 1930  living with parents in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Death 28 Apr 2007  Simi Valley, Ventura County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Notes 
    • JIM AND NANCY SLOSSON Departed together, April 28, 2007, and April 27, 2007, on their final journey to the Warner Mountains Nancy Jane (Samuel) SLOSSON, 82, a long-time resident of Sherman Oaks, California, passed away April 27, 2007, from complications of congestive heart failure. Nancy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 1924. Nancy spent her early childhood in Douglas, Arizona, where her Welsh-born father, John Moore Samuel was a mining engineer, and her mother, Gladys Doane Samuel, was a school teacher. She moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Los Angeles High School and the University of Southern California. Nancy was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority at USC and graduated with a BS in Business and Marketing in 1947. Nancy was an avid Trojan football fan, rarely missing a home game in over 65 years. While at USC, she met and married James Edward SLOSSON. Nancy was a wildlife enthusiast and actively supported the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Zoo, as well as other zoos across the country. Her favorite animal was the Sea Otter, and she contributed to the Long Beach Aquarium Sea Otter Exhibit. Nancy and Jim were active supporters of USC Track and Field for their entire adult life. Nancy served as President and Business Manager for her husband's consulting geology practice, Engineering Geology Consultants, for over 30 years. Nancy was active in civic affairs, including the Federation of Republican Women's Club of the San Fernando Valley and the Carrousels, a San Fernando Valley service organization. Nancy was a volunteer at the Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys. Believing in public service, Nancy and Jim often hosted and organized candidate and public forum events in their home and at their favorite Topanga Canyon retreat, the Trippet Ranch. Nancy also volunteered on many local and municipal campaigns. James E. Slosson, Ph.D., a native of Van Nuys, California, passed away the next day, April 28, 2007 at the age of 84 after a lengthy illness. They moved down the road as they had in life: together. Jim SLOSSON was born April 12, 1923 in one of the first ranch houses in Van Nuys. He graduated from Van Nuys High School, where he excelled in track competitions. He graduated from the University of Southern California and pursued his passion for track and field events, as well as an eventual profession in geology. Jim SLOSSON was a three-year varsity letterman on the USC track team in 1946, 1947 and 1948. In 1947, Jim married Nancy Jane Samuel, and began a life together that spanned 60 years. Jim served in the U.S. Army during World War II, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He also served as a reserve in the Naval Reserve and the California National Guard. Jim graduated from USC in 1950 with a Master's degree in Geology. After graduation, Jim was an assistant track coach at USC from 1955-1962, under the direction of Coaches Dean Cromwell and Jess Hill. He coached Max Truex, who competed with the U.S. Olympic Team in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome games. Mel Hein was a member of the USC track team under Assistant Coach SLOSSON, excelling at the pole vault. Jim took joy in the many accomplishments of his student athletes and pupils, maintaining long relationships with many, near and far. In 1958, Jim received his doctorate from the University and began his career in geologic consulting. Jim was a charter faculty member of Los Angeles Valley College, serving as Professor of Geology and Chair of the Geology Department at Valley College from 1975-1984. He also served as California State Geologist and Chief of the Division of Mines and Geology from 1973 to 1975. As State Geologist, he introduced a series of Guidelines for Practice, which had enormous impact on raising the standard of care of engineering and environmental geologists, not only in California, but nationwide. Dr. Slosson worked for the City and County of Los Angeles and the State of California. Dr. Slosson helped develop and pass the Seismic Safety Commission Act of 1975, which established the State Seismic Safety Commission to advise the Governor, State Legislature, state and local government on ways to reduce earthquake risk. He served on the Seismic Safety Commission for 8 years. James also served on the State Board of Geologists and Geophysicists. James was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Geological Society of America for 2 years and on the Board of Directors of the Dibblee Geologic Foundation. Dr. Slosson had published over 100 articles emphasizing the geologic processes associated with landslides, sedimentation and flooding. Jim and Nancy never missed a USC/UCLA Dual Track Meet. In fact, James watched the 2007 Dual Track Meet with his beloved family in his hospital room the day he passed away. Jim and Nancy are survived by their daughter, Bonnie SLOSSON and her husband, Michael D'Onofrio, of Sacramento; their son, Thom SLOSSON, his wife, Lynn, and two grandchildren, Clint, 21, and Katelyn SLOSSON, 18. Jim is survived by his brother Jack SLOSSON and his wife, Eleanor, of Carmichael, CA. Jim and Nancy also shared their love with godson Gary Hein and his family of Walnut Creek, and the entire Hein family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations: Trojan Force of the USC Track and Field, Dr. James SLOSSON Academic Achievement Award, Attn: Ron Orr, USC Heritage Hall, Los Angeles, California, 90089-0602; Los Angeles Valley College Foundation, 5800 Fulton Ave., Valley Glen, CA 91401, Attn: SLOSSON Memorial; Richard O. Stone Scholarship Fund, USC College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, ADM 204, Los Angeles, California, 90089-4015; Likely Volun teer Fire Department, PO Box 515, Likely California, 96116; and Great Basin Institute, PO Box C, Cedarville, California, 96104. Private celebrations of the lives of Jim and Nancy SLOSSON are being planned by the family at USC and Likely, California.
      Published in the Los Angeles Daily News on 5/13/2007.
    Person ID I52797  Main Tree
    Last Modified 25 Oct 2018 

    Father Thomas Warren SLOSSON,   b. 12 May 1896, Holdrege, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Aug 1974, Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Ruth REED,   b. 15 Oct 1900, Nebraska Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 04 May 1976, Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 75 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Family ID F21444  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Nancy Jane SAMUEL,   b. 11 Sep 1924, St. Louis, Missouri Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Apr 2007, Simi Valley, Ventura County, California Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years) 
    Marriage 07 Jul 1948  Brentwood, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Children 
     1. Bonnie Lou SLOSSON
     2. Thomas Lynn SLOSSON
    Family ID F21473  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 3 Apr 2015 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 07 Jul 1948 - Brentwood, California Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Sources 
    1. [S7057] Obituary Notice for James Slosson and Nancy Jane Samuel.

    2. [S03336] Slason-Slauson-Slawson-Slosson Family by George C. Slawson dated 1946.

    3. [S01818] Ancestry.com: Social Security Death Index.

    4. [S01531] 1930 Census Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.

    5. [S01770] Ancestry.com: Family Trees - Magers Family Tree by Lynn Whittemore.