Remembering Steve James

CCCHS Treasurer, Board Member and Friend

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It is with a profound sense of loss that we share the passing of Steve James, long-time Board Member and Treasurer of the Contra Costa County Historical Society. Steve passed away in his sleep in August, a month short of his 78th birthday.

Anyone who has been associated with the Contra Costa County Historical Society, even tangentially, knows that Steve was the Society’s biggest cheerleader, most popular tour guide, and its extremely talented and forward-thinking Treasurer.

Steve was a native Contra Costan and extremely proud of his East Bay roots. He graduated from De Anza High School in 1966 and then received an Associate of Arts degree from Contra Costa Junior College. Steve transferred to Sonoma State College majoring in History and Geography, but his education was interrupted by being drafted and inducted in the U.S. Army.

After returning from Vietnam and his discharge from the Army, Steve restarted his education at Golden Gate University majoring in Business Administration. Shortly thereafter, Steve began working for Chevron and stayed there for 32 years, retiring as a Business Planner and Financial Planner.

After retirement, Steve applied his innate skill with numbers by volunteering his time and talent with three different volunteer organizations – the El Sobrante Historical Society, the Chevron Retirement Association – East Bay Chapter, and, of course, the Contra Costa County Historical Society.

It would be an understatement to say the CCCHS was fortunate to have Steve James as its Treasurer. Steve was a dedicated steward of the non-profit’s financial resources, and a shrewd investor who always seemed to make the best investments possible on behalf of the CCCHS.

And while all of these assets alone would make Steve valuable to any non-profit, Steve’s greatest skills on behalf of the CCCHS were his people skills.

Steve loved history, and more than that, he loved to share his love of history with anyone within earshot. Steve always took the time to provide tours of the CCCHS offices and its archives. He treated everyone he interacted with as if they were an old high school buddy and he related his detailed knowledge of local history with the skill and tone of your favorite uncle.

Steve was also a passionate sports fan. He was a devoted fan of the Oakland A’s and the Oakland Raiders, as well as a season ticket holder for the University of California Golden Bears football team. Steve’s passion for numbers also translated to sports as he was devoted follower of thoroughbred horse racing. When given the chance, Steve would tell stories about his trips to Del Mar, Churchill Downs, Pimlico, Belmont, Saratoga and many other hallowed grounds of the “sport of kings.”

Steve never forgot about his roots and worked tirelessly to ensure those beginnings and his later successes were shared with everyone in his community.

Steve is survived by his wife Priscilla, their two children, and three grandchildren, and innumerable friends. He will be missed by all of those he touched, and there were many.

Steven Owen James, September 1948 – August 2026