James Patrick Brumbaugh's Obituary
James Patrick Brumbaugh, 82, passed away on January 22, 2022 at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
Jim was born and raised in Stockton, California. He graduated from then College of the Pacific, now UOP and from University of California, Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. On November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Jim met Jennifer Starr of Honolulu on a blind date. They married in 1964 and lived in Stockton where Jim worked for the City Attorney. They moved to Honolulu in 1966 where Jim joined the Cades Shutte law firm. City life didn’t appeal to Jim and they returned to Stockton in 1969 where Jim practiced insurance defense law and later had a private general practice. Following an intense murder trial Jim thought he might find another line of work and in 1979, following a 6 month camping trip throughout Europe, Scandanavia and Great Britain with their boys ages 8 and 10 they moved to Maui. Now feeling refreshed and renewed he then accepted the offer of McNish and Romanchak to join them. The Honolulu firm Rush Moore Craven Kim and Strickland wanted to open a Maui office in the brand new One Main Plaza Bldg. and offered Jim the job along with Brian Jenkins. The two of them departed years later and opened their own general practice firm.
In California Jim enjoyed fishing, backpacking, skiing in the Sierras and bird shooting in the San Joaquin Valley. On Maui his passion was golf at Maui Country Club where he had 16 holes in one and great times with the guys.
Jim’s memory was remarkable. He was able to recall nearly every football play in high school and college and nearly every golf shot whether on Maui, California or Scotland and England. He loved the law and was especially drawn to criminal defense work fighting passionately for alleged murderers and all sorts other offenders because everyone is innocent until proven otherwise. Jim had a beautiful soul and brilliant mind. He was a pillar of the 3 generations of the Starr descendant ʻohana, all settled on Maui.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jennifer, his sons Jason and Ian, grandsons Caden, Jesse, Elvis, Charlie and Ethan. He adored and was so proud of all of these boys and enjoyed and was involved and interested in all of their various interests, activities and sports.
A family memorial and burial will be held at a later date.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?