James Robert Ledbetter

James Robert Ledbetter (Santa Jim) was born to Virgil Kennedy Ledbetter and Merle Simon in Anaheim, California, on July 14th, 1931.
He was the youngest of 3 boys, following big brothers Dean and John.
After praying for a little sister, Elizabeth was born.

As a young boy, the Ledbetters moved to Colton, California when Virgil accepted a call to pastor the First Baptist Church. Jim spent his school years there, graduating from Colton High School. He accepted the Lord at Thousand Pines Christian Camp, and was baptized when he was 9 years old.

The family moved to Claremont, California when Virgil was called to pastor a new church. Jim even helped in some phases of the construction of the First Baptist Church. At this time Jim was also attending Chaffey College, working for the United States Postal Service by day, and "smudging" by night!

Throughout his life, Jim was very involved in church ministry, coming along side pastors to serve in any capacity. He led choirs, served on church boards, led youth groups, taught Sunday School, and even ministered with Pastor Don Hodson at Camp Five in San Dimas.
Jim started the radio broadcast, "Youth on the Air", every Saturday evening, through the ministry of Youth For Christ. Little did he know that, through this ministry, he would meet someone that would change his life forever...Juanita Ahier.

Jim and Juanita were married at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, on February 11th, 1956. It was this same year that he began his career, which lasted over 50 years, in the field of finance. He started out working at Pacific Finance in Pomona, then Crocker National Bank in Ontario. Other financial institutions included American Baptist Credit Union in Covina, Rafe Federal Credit Union in Riverside, and Cal Tech Employees Federal Credit Union in La Canada Flintridge. Jim was an active member of several organizations: American Baptist Men of the Pacific Southwest, Exchange Club, Girl Scouts, California Credit Union Collectors Association, Amalgamated Order Real Bearded Santas, Pilot International, and MusiCalifornia.

In 2007 Jim and Juanita were thrilled to join the Atherton family and the First Baptist Church of Alhambra.

Jim was ushered in to Glory on September 26th, 2012.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 56 years, Juanita, daughter and son-in-law, Janece and David Schreier of Culver City, California, grandson, Rob Lowe of Culver City, California, a sister, Elizabeth Stiles of Glendora, California, (2 older brothers, Dean and John, preceeded him in death) a niece, Linda Kay Mayer of LaVerne, California, several great- nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 3012, 10:00 a.m.
Atherton Baptist Homes - Miriam Chapel
214 S. Atlantic Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91801

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Atherton.