James Quinne DeWitt

January 18, 1931 - November 17, 2017

James Quinne DeWitt died peacefully at home on November 17, 2017 following a brief illness. Jim was born in Oakland, California on January 18, 1931, son of Mae Louise Coolidge and James Quinne DeWitt, Sr. Jim and his family lived briefly in Berkeley and San Francisco before moving to Piedmont where he made lifelong friendships and graduated from Piedmont High School.

The University of California, his Delta Tau Delta fraternity friendships and Cal football and rugby were important to Jim and continued to be so throughout his adult life. Upon graduation from Cal in 1953, Jim served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Japan during the final months of the Korean War.

In 1958 Jim married Margot Rees, also a Piedmont High and Cal graduate. Jim and Margot began their sixty-year life together in Southern California, living in Laguna Beach and Pasadena, before moving to San Mateo in 1963 where they raised their family.

Jim began his management career in the forest products industry with Crown Zellerbach and Boise Cascade. A small businessman at heart, in 1975 Jim became an early graduate of Pepperdine University’s Presidential/Key Executive MBA Program, leading to his becoming President of Lex Systems, Inc. until his retirement.

Jim loved his family, hiking the Sierra Nevada and Kauai’s Napali Coast, sport fishing on Baja’s East Cape and the many friendships he made through the groups he enjoyed - the Kimmers, Delta Tau Delta, Beta Beta, Skull and Keys, The Grid Club, The Family Club, Boy Scout Troop 42, and the Tournament Angler’s Association. Jim was a devoted member of The Episcopal Church of St. Matthew where he served on the Vestry and in many other roles for over 50 years. He will be missed.

Jim is survived by his wife Margot, children William James DeWitt (Andrea) of Orinda, Amy Elizabeth DeWitt of Dublin, Thomas Rees DeWitt (Tammy) of Carlton, OR, grandchildren Patrick Rees DeWitt, Katharine Anne DeWitt, Thomas James DeWitt, Travis Rees DeWitt, Nicole Kaahilelani DeWitt, sister Patricia DeWitt Brown (David), and nieces Victoria Brown Moats and Elizabeth Brown Molimoli and their families.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service for Jim at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at The Episcopal Church of St. Matthew, 1 South El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family invites contributions to Mission Hospice of San Mateo or a charity of your choice.