Obituary

Julius Joseph Frimmer died July 29 in La Jolla, California at the age of ninety. He was surrounded by his family.

Born January 31, 1924 in New York, New York, to Julius and Elizabeth Frimmer, both of Hungary, “Jules” spent his early childhood on the lower east side of Manhattan with an older sister, Helen, and younger brother, Louis. As the family’s butcher shop business expanded, he moved to suburban New Jersey where he graduated high school, enlisting in the United States Air Force. Stationed in both France and England during WWII, Jules is a member of our country’s “greatest generation.” His name resides on a commemorative plaque at San Diego’s Mt. Soledad Memorial.

Jules returned from war and was able to take advantage of the G.I. bill, enrolling at Seaton Hall University, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1952. He spent his early career climbing the corporate ladder, working for General Motors, at the time the largest corporation in the United States.

He was drawn West to California in the 1960’s, settling in Los Angeles and later San Bernardino, where business opportunities and family connections lied. In a life-changing “lemons-to-lemonade” situation, Jules acquired some dry cleaning equipment from a failing business that could not pay him for his accounting services. With a strong belief in hard work and a drive to succeed, Jules eventually built a five-store chain of dry cleaners in the Inland Empire. Years later, he laughed “I knew nothing about the dry cleaning business, but how hard could it be?”

In 1971, he married Jenny Lyn Grisham and they had two children: A daughter, Julie, and a son, Justin. They raised a family and divorced in 1995. Years later, the couple reunited, considered remarrying, and remained close friends until Jules’ death.

Having sold his businesses and enjoying retirement, Jules moved to Newport Beach, California, a place often visited with his family. Committed to a life of healthy living and fitness, he soon became known around town as “the walker.” He logged miles per day and enjoyed waving to folks in the neighborhood, often stopping at the local high school track to do a few laps around the track and explain to students that when one does the math, he walks approximately 3,285 miles annually.

Jules enjoyed travel throughout his adult life, both with his family and alone. He loved taking cruises to far-off destinations, his last being a trip that circled the globe.

Jules was raised devoutly Catholic and was an active member of his local church until his health began to fail. His belief that God always had a plan for him was a guiding force and source of comfort throughout his life.

He is survived by his ex-wife, son and daughter, two nephews and two grandchildren.