James Blazich

James Blazich was born on January 13, 1954 to John and Olga Blazich in Yonkers, NY. The family moved to North Hollywood while James was still a baby. They moved to Mountain View, California, where he grew up. When he was about 7, the Little League sponsor in Mountain View was a supportive and generous Japanese-American nursery whose owners had re-established after the war. James played Little League for several years and was a star player. He had fond memories of these folks.

When he was 8, his parents bought him a guitar and music lessons. He took lessons and classes and practiced and became proficient. He played in bands for school and other events all through middle and high school. He played string base in the California Youth Symphony, once accompanying Jack Benny.

James dropped out after Junior year and busked up and down the California coast with his friend Frank. They found friendly businesses that encouraged their presence. He returned to northern California and lived for some time at The Land, one of the communes in the hills during that era. Eventually, seeking a change of direction, he traveled with a friend who was going to visit a friend. It was December. It was storming and the road was out. They had to walk several miles. When they knocked on the door, he met Laurie, his future wife, and David and Crystalaura, his step kids. The couple married in June.

They subsequently moved their family to Troy, MT where James built a house, worked in the woods, and played music locally. He had two of the most wonderful, joyful, soulful bands any human could dance to, Mighty Simple and Sleeping Giant. Those bands gained some regional notoriety. He also played five nights a week with a country western band in Spokane and traveled through Canada and the Northwest Territories with an Elvis impersonator.

Eventually, the family moved to Oregon, but James began working in California, playing at the Buckhorn in Amador County steadily, so after three years, they moved to River Pines.

James was a Renaissance man. He could use and fix anything mechanical. He often pulled over to help a stranded motorist, sometimes bringing them home for dinner. He loved to cook for people. He had worked for a while at a Mexican restaurant and he made excellent chile verde. He might decide a friend needed a good meal and take one over. He and Laurie shared their home with many a friend over the years.

At the time of his death, he was surrounded by family, his dog Charlie, and the love of family and friends near and far.

Everyone is invited to a casual get-together from 2p to 5p at the River Pines Town Hall at 22900 Canyon Ave, River Pines, CA 95675 on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Amador County Fire for their kindness and helpfulness.