On Wednesday September 23, 2020 Baron Dr James von Waldegg, loving father, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather passed away at John Muir Medical Hospital in Concord at the age of 94.
James was born on August 23, 1926 in Bogota Colombia to Baron Dr. Hermann and Leonor Walde von Waldegg. At the age of 5 or 6 years old he was knighted with his father by the Queen of England, then became a Baron.
At the age of 14, he flew 200 miles by himself to save his uncle’s life, which was the government Minister during the revolution, and was awarded the heroism award for bravery. At the age of 14, James was the youngest recorded pilot that ever enrolled into the military, due to the fact that his mom had to lie about this age. During this time he obtained his pilot and helicopter license. During this time he mostly flew P-38’s, P-47’s and Aero Cobra.
As time progressed, he fought in World War II and in Europe and became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army - Air Corp. During his service, he met and flew with Charles Lindbergh, General MacArthur and famous actor James Stewart. This occurred when his plane was shot down and then was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
After the war, James studied at Boston University as well as UC Berkeley and UCLA Southern California, and obtained a MD, Phd and a Doctorate in zoology, microbiology and protozoology. He then met his wife Jacquelyn Hibbard and got married shortly after. James then became a Professor and taught at UC Berkeley. Both James and Jacquelyn finished their schooling together. James then started working for a Commercial airline, and together with Jacquelyn, started a mortgage company that became very successful. James also worked for the government, whereby he met several Presidents and also had the honor to fly the Air Force one.
Between James and Jacquelyn, they had three children Sherry, Vicky and James II. James and Jacquelyn were very successful in their businesses and had lots of respect within their community. James and Jacquelyn lived a happy and loving marriage before tragedy struck and Jacquelyn passed away in 1996, which devastated James and had to live 24 years without the love of his life.
James lived a long happy and successful life, and was loved and respected by numerous people. And each person that was inspired and respected by him have extraordinary stories and tales to tell and therefore his memory will live forever within those stories and the lives he enriched.
James is survived by the following immediate family;
Children - Daughter - Sherry Arbelaez - Brown, Daughter - Vicky Von Waldegg, Son - James Von Waldegg II
Grand Children - Deanna Martinez, Cheri Arbelaez, Daniel Evans Von Waldegg, Alexandra Von Waldegg, Ava Von Waldegg, Michelle Breedt. Louis Breedt.
Great Grandchildren - James Tacconi, Isabelle Arbelaez, Jacob Arbelaez, Sabrina Reedy, Samantha Bertram, Sierra De Leon
Great-Great Grandchildren - Malyki, Mckenzie and Kolby Reedy, Myah, Noah and Zoe Bertram, Leilani and Baby Ray De Leon, Darin and Rena Tacconi
Extended Family - Son in law - Donald Brown, Daughter in law - Elizabeth Von Waldegg, Daughter in law - Julie Von Waldegg
Grandson - Johnny Martinez, Great Grandson - Thomas Bertram, Great Grandson - Justin Reedy, Great Grandson - Roman De Leon
Nieces and Nephews - Robert Dempster, Allen Dempster, Lisa Dempster, Johnny Dempster, Amanda Dempster, George Uribe, Robbie Dempster
Dylan Dempster, Margot Dempster, Michael Tomada, Mike (Chris) Kemp, Geno McKenna, Tammy Kemp, Father Al Delgado, Juan Delgado
Alfonso Delgado, Deacon Julian Delgado, Luis Delgado, George Delgado, Carlos Delgado.
As well as numerous friends and well known acquaintances.
James will be remembered for his humorous nature and loving heart. His memory will live on in the hearts and lives of everyone who loved him.
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