James Earl Backstrom

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have the everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

James Earl Backstrom was born on November 14, 1933 in Water Valley Mississippi to Walker Backstrom and Julia Carter Backstrom. He was the sixth of eleven children.
Jim, as he was affectionately known, accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He was baptized at the All People Christian Church in 1946. He joined Harbor Christian Center in 1989 and remained strong in faith throughout his lifetime.

Gentleman. Athlete. Scholar.
Jims early education began at 20th Street Elementary School. While at Lafayette Junior High School he excelled in his studies and was unanimously elected student body president. A natural athlete and exceptional swimmer, Jim was honored as the first ever MVP for the 1st Annual LA Sentential Swim Meet Team. He was also a member of the basketball track and swim team and was elected President of the Poly Knights. His commitment to excellence, on and off the field, paid off handsomely earning Jim an athletic scholarship to Chapman College, now Chapman University.

Upon completing his freshmen year at Chapman, Jim decided he wanted a change and enlisted in the Army. There he played basketball, leading his team to the 1st Team All 4th Army Basketball Championship and an honor for the Red River Arsenal Team. A year later, after an honorable discharge, Jim returned to Chapman University where in 2006 he was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Life. Love. Career.
After earning his college degree, Jim met and fell in love with Maedean Jones. They wed in 1959 and God blessed them with a wonderful son, Keenan.

Jim held a number of Jobs in the early days of his career in education ultimately finding a home at Edison Junior High where he would thrive as a teacher and coach. His reputation preceded him and when Locke High School opened its doors in 1967. He was hired as the school’s first basketball coach. From there Jim would go onto to teach and coach at Washington High School, eventually returning to Locke High School. After a number of years, he accepted a position as Dean of Students at Narbonne High School where he also coached volleyball and basketball. He retired from Narbonne after a long and distinguished career as an education, his career spanning 50 years, his legacy outliving him.

Whenever Jim was asked how he liked teaching and working with kids he would always say, “ Every time I get my paycheck, I will hold it up, look at it and laugh and say, I beat them again ! if they knew how much I loved my job, which wasn’t really a job, I would have to get another job to pay them in order to keep my job !” He always had a beautiful smile and a kind word for someone. He will truly be missed by family, friends, faculty, parents and most of all, his students.

Jim was preceded in death by him Mother and Father, Siblings: Dolores, Lucille, Lawrence, Sharon, Walter, Marion and Ruby. Jim leaves to cherish his memory: His beloved wife, Maedean, Son Keenan, daughter-in-law Nancy, grandchildren Kameron and Alana; brothers Warner (Loretta), Don (Jacquelyn), Vernell and a host of nieces and nephews all of whom loved him and who have already feel the impact of the loss of his physical presence.