James (Jim) John Kropff, 85, of Gilroy, CA, passed away on October 20, 2023 surrounded by love with his immediate family.  Jim was born in Hereford, TX, on February 25, 1938.  Jim grew up in Hereford until 1942 when his family moved to Gardena, CA.  He graduated from Gardena High School in 1956.  He then attended Long Beach State College with a BA and furthered his studies becoming a teacher at Gilroy High School in 1961.

Jim Kropff loved home projects to include planning, building and maintaining cars, homes and his properties in Gilroy and Weed, CA.  He was a visionary who tapped into wind, solar and other means to promote sustainable and renewable energies as part of his core values.  He found joy and purpose in his lengthy "to-do" lists and talking to others about their own endeavors.  He invested in over 2 acres on the northeast side of Gilroy with a vision to build his perfect home from the ground up from 1974 through 1979.

In 1960, Jim and his wife of 63 years, Doris Harmon Kropff, were married in Gardena, CA.  He began his 33 yearlong teaching career at Gilroy High School for vocational classes with the focus on auto mechanics.  In 1961, Jim and Doris welcomed their son Michael and two years later their daughter Kathleen in 1963.  Jim also coached basketball, supported track, wrestling, swimming, water polo as well as other sports.  He was a favorite amongst the students, athletes, his kids, grandkids and their respective friends as he instilled confidence and belief in everyone he met.  He had very strong family connections with his brother, sisters, their spouses and children as well as his aunts, uncles and cousins.  He played a pivotable role in his family who are all grateful for his time and energies.  He was a man of action, naturally fulfilling the role of a teacher leading with patience, expertise and knowledge.  He built a community of family and friends who he was always lending a helping hand and providing guidance.

Jim is survived by his wife Doris; his son Michael Kropff; his daughter Kathleen Kropff Morgan; his grandchildren - Kevin Kropff, Matthew Morgan, Christian Kropff, Amanda Morgan, Ryan Swenor, Michael A. Kropff, Sean Kropff and his great granddaughter Lavender Kropff. He is preceded in death by his father John, his mother Annabel, his older brother Roy and his older sister Helen.  He is also survived by his older sister Ruth Marie Wolf, his younger sister Kathryn Kellogg and many other extended family members throughout western United States.

Jim's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from noon to 4:00pm at Doris and Jim's house 2400 Meadowlark Lane Gilroy.