Jim was born in Visalia, CA on March 11, 1939 and passed away at home in Bakersfield, CA on December 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, James G. and Mildred l. Wildharber of Taft, CA. he leaves behind his wife of 65+ YEARS, Allie E. Wildharber and his sons James D. Wildharber and wife Ruth of St. Martinville, LA and John P. Wildharber and his wife Heather of San Luis Obispo, CA. He also left behind his grandchildren: Levi Petree and wife Deanna of Los Angeles, CA, Hannah Petree of Lafayette, LA, Whitney Petree of Lafayette, LA and Hope Ledet and her husband Philip of Youngsville, LA. In addition he has 2 great-grandchildren, Magnolia Allen of Lafayette, LA and Hugh Ledet of Youngsville, LA.
After junior college Jim spent his working career as an employee of Richfield Oil Company (ARCO Oil & Gas) as a lab tech and tech and then as an engineering tech and received a golden handshake retirement package in 1994. As a hobby he was an accomplished machinist and welder and could make almost anything. He loved his collection of antique motorcycles, old cars, and his special love his two vintage sprint cars. He never met anyone he couldn’t take time to talk to even if it delayed the completion of whatever he was working on at the time.
Many thanks to the cancer specialists at CBCC, the amazing colorectal cancer surgical team at Keck USC Medical Center, the home health nurses at Around the Clock, and the great team at Hoffmann Hospice who all cared for him.
Jim was buried on January 12, 2026 at West Side Cemetery in a beautiful family graveside service conducted by Rubio’s Family Mortuary.Â