Native Sons of the Golden West Nicasio Parlor #183

In Honored Memory James Ish, Jr. January 9th, 1944 - March 21st, 2020 Initiated: April 7th, 1975... My Memories of Jim Ish. In my short 15 years being a Native Son I have known few Brothers like Jim Ish. I first met Jim during my first Nicasio Parlor meeting. He had heard that I was coming into the order through a connection with another service organization. Jim welcomed me and introduced me to several of the Brothers. I got my first foot in the door. Well, we all had drinks, dinner and began my first business meeting. I learned more about Jim as I saw him in one of the officer's seats. I knew right then that he loved the order. I had been a president for the other service organization for ten years and their newsletter editor for thirteen years. I recognized a kindred spirit. For few are the Brothers who volunteer to operate a Parlor. Jim Ish was our Financial Secretary. Whenever we had a big feed to raise money, Jim was always behind the scenes in the kitchen. Volunteering was his way. He didn't join the Native Sons to sit in the bleachers. He joined the order in1975. This year he was a 45 year member. Jim Ish was a key player in Nicasio Parlor. Through the years I learned that there was a Petaluma Parlor and it merged with Nicasio Parlor. Who was the last President of Petaluma Parlor? I heard it was Jim Ish. Not only that but he was President of Petaluma Parlor five times. One of the treasures of the Native Sons of the Golden West is our recreation camping grounds up near Paradise, California, known as Lott's Lake. It has been a summer camping grounds to the Native Sons for generations. Jim had what could only be described as a passion for the area and the annual events up at Lott's Lake. Once again Jim stepped up and organized events, maintenance / upkeep work parties for Lott's Lake. He served several terms as Chairman of the Grand Parlor Lott's Lake committee. When you talking about a Grand Parlor committee, you have to realize that Jim assumed a statewide position. He was one of a group of unfaltering, true leaders for that committee. That is REAL dedication. That was the kind of Brother Jim Ish was. He will always be remembered as dedicated and passionate Native Son of the Golden West. The family requests that donations be made to the NSGW Lotts Lake fund in Jim's memory. Mail checks to Native Sons of the Golden West. 414 Mason Street. Suite 300. San Francisco, CA. 94102 Make your check out to "Grand Parlor, NSGW" with "Lott’s Lake" in the memo line. FLC, Kristofer Nelson NSGW Grand Marshal Recording Secretary - Nicasio Parlor #183