James Alexander Dunbar was born in Glasgow, Scotland on July 16, 1952 to Alexander and Edna Dunbar, 8 ½ years after his big sister Margaret. He attended primary and secondary school in Drumchapel before starting his plumbing apprenticeship at the age of 15. One of Jim’s fondest childhood memories is taking the bus into town on Saturdays with his dad and Margaret. They would have lunch at the same restaurant each week, go to the fishmongers to buy fish for their cat, Sooty, and then stop by the bakery for some pastries to take home. Strawberry Tarts were his favorite. Jim never really got to know his mom as she passed away from MS when he was only 5 years old.

In 1972, Jim met the love of his life, Deirdre, in Esquire, the bar where Deirdre worked. They dated for just over a year before getting married on July 14, 1973. Jim was welcomed into the Gordon family with open arms and had a special bond with Deirdre’s mom, Letty. In March of 1975, they welcomed their first child, Gillian, and four years later, in June of 1979, the family became complete with the birth of their son, Graham. The next five decades were filled with love and joy, triumphs and heartbreaks, but through it all Jim and Deirdre’s love for each other remained steadfast.

Jim and his brother-in-law Allen started their own plumbing business called Dunson Plumbing before Jim went to work for the Glasgow Corporation. In 1979, Jim and Deirdre made a decision that altered the course of their lives. They stepped out in faith and courage in search of new opportunities. They left everything and everyone they knew behind and joined Jim’s sister Margaret and her husband Tom in California. After staying with Margaret and Tom for a few months, the family moved to Beverly Glen while Jim ran a plumbing business for a gentleman who went to sail around the world. He then got a job with Lloyd’s Plumbing in Newbury Park before starting Dunbar Plumbing in 1987. For the next 32 years, Jim built a very successful business serving loyal customers all over the Conejo Valley. He was known for not only his quality work, but his honesty and dry sense of humor. Everywhere Deirdre and the kids went, they were known as ‘Jim’s wife and kids’.

Jim had a great love for his family, friends, and football(the real football!). He was a lifelong Glasgow Rangers fan, although he would watch any game that happened to be on the TV. He collected programs from all the football matches he went to and was ball boy for his dad’s team, Partick Thistle. Jim played on a team, Rangers of course, in Newbury Park well into his fifties.

Jim remained in contact with many of his friends in Scotland after coming to the US. They would get together like no time had passed when he traveled back for visits. The neighbors on Blackwood St. became like family to the Dunbars. They got together often and their children grew up together. Jim and Deirdre enjoyed hosting parties at the house which brought their different friend groups together and they hosted many Christmas dinners. When he retired in 2019, he and a few of his buddies started hiking together several times a week.

Jim’s family meant the world to him. He worked very hard to provide a good life for them in the US. They enjoyed going on trips together, getting together for family dinners and celebrations, and playing games. He adored his daughter-in-law Amber and son-in-law PJ. He was known as Papa by his four grandchildren, Bella, Luca, Gemma, and Crue. His face lit up when any of them walked in the room and he could often be found cheering on the sideline of their sporting events, or in the audience of their school plays. Jim taught his children and grandchildren to value hard work, honesty, and compassion.

Jim’s legacy will live on through his family and all those who were blessed to know and love him. We take comfort in knowing that he is in the loving hands of our Lord and that we will one day be reunited for eternity. 

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