James S Marinos' Obituary
San Diego— James (Jim) Samuel Marinos, 94, passed away peacefully of natural causes, on March 7, 2024. A lifelong San Diegan, Jim lived his life to the fullest and shared his joy for life with all who knew him. Born on September 5, 1929, Jim was the youngest son of four children born to Greek immigrants, Mary Trompas Marinos and Samuel George Marinos, Jim worked hard, played hard, and had a warm and charismatic personality. He engaged 100% with whomever he was with, from good friends to his young grandchildren. Jim focused his full attention on them and always shared his wit and humor.
Jim graduated from San Diego High School in 1947 where he was an outstanding athlete and student body president. He attended UC Berkeley and played football as one of “Pappy’s Boys” on three Rose Bowl teams, including the 1951 Rose Bowl, where he was the starting quarterback. He enrolled in the Law School at UC Berkeley, but after two years joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War.
After returning home, Jim referenced his JAG experience in the Marine Corps to petition the California Bar to allow him to sit for the exam even though he had not yet graduated from law school. Jim passed and was admitted to the bar in June 1957. Although he wanted to start practicing law immediately, his mother insisted that his clients would want him to have a law degree. He then completed his last year of law school as an attorney at USD and was in its first graduating class in 1958.
He entered private practice as a sole practitioner. Jim was a senior partner in several firms including Sullivan, Marinos, Augustine and Delafield until 1972 and Marinos, Styn and Studebaker from 1972 to 1984. For the next 38 years he was a sole practitioner, retiring from the practice of law at the age of 93.
Among his many honors he was a Diplomat of The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and president of the San Diego Chapter from 1987-88. He was also a member of the San Diego County Bar Association for over 65 years.
Jim tried over 150 jury trials to verdict and was written up as a Legend of The Bar in 2010 (link: https://www.sdcba.org/?pg=LOB-Marinos). As he stated in that interview, “Every day, get up and say, ‘Today I’m going to do something more than I did yesterday for me and my clients and my family.’ To me that’s a recipe for great success.” Jim won his last jury trial at age 92.
During his career, Jim continued his lifelong love of the outdoors including regular trips to Africa, annual fishing trips to Alaska, and weekly golf games with his friends well into his 90’s. He was a loyal San Diego Charger football fan and season ticket holder from their first season to their last. He impressed everyone with his encyclopedic knowledge of sports, especially football.
Jim married his first wife, Patricia Laird, at the start of his law career in 1959. Together they had three daughters, Marina, Diana, and Athena. They divorced in 1972.
Jim married Diane, his wife of forty years, on New Years Eve, 1983. They enjoyed a wonderful and fulfilling relationship throughout their marriage. Together they blended their families which included Diane’s children, Bruce, Valerie, Adrienne, Theresa, Jennifer and Bill. Jim and Diane had a rich social life with a large network of friends and relatives. Sunday night dinners at their house were a regular gathering place for the whole family. Jim and Diane traveled the world with friends and relatives. Some of Jim’s favorite places were Africa, Alaska, Hawaii, Italy and of course, Greece. Jim also enjoyed trips to Oregon with his three daughters and four grandchildren, James and Evan Lavery, and Kathryn and Camryn Cook.
Jim had many groups of friends, including the “Snowgoosers”, a group of 32 friends who golfed together, and “Gokers”, a golf and poker group which he founded in the late 1950’s. Jim’s community involvement included board membership in the Greater San Diego Sports Association, former president of the San Diego Rowing Club, and volunteer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, ARCS “Achievement Rewards For College Scientists”, Childhelp USA, YMCA and Safari Club International.
Jim is survived by his wife Diane and their nine children. Additionally, he is survived by 19 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial (Trisagion) will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park (Salli Lynn Chapel, 4300 Imperial Avenue at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 26. The funeral will be held at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 3655 Park Blvd. at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 27 with Makaria reception immediately following in the Cypress Room/Church Hall, 12:00-2:30. Interment to follow Makaria reception at Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA. 92113.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego https://www.sdyouth.org/, ARCS Foundation- Achievement Rewards for College Scientists https://www.arcsfoundation.org/national-homepage, and St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-20000788?tab=home
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