James Erwin Fredrickson, Jr.
July 1, 1947 – December 13, 2024

James (Jim) Erwin Fredrickson, Jr. passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024 in Eureka, with his wife Kathy by his side. They were excited about making their 46th anniversary just days before on December 9. Jim was a native of Humboldt County, born to James Sr. (Erwin) and June Fredrickson on July 1, 1947 in Arcata. He attended Kneeland School while growing up, and graduated from Eureka Senior High School (Class of 1965), then attended College of the Redwoods the following year.

Jim worked over 45 years in the trucking industry until 2005, when he became disabled. He worked hauling freight, loading and hauling logs, lumber, pipe, cattle and anything that was required to be moved. Jim had fond memories of being taught to drive a cattle truck with live, moving critters by his long time friend Joel Van Vleck. He hauled and worked for most of the local trucking and lumber companies throughout the North Coast and Oregon including: Nielson Freight, Pacific Towing, Alto Bros Trucking, Baird Trucking, Simpson’s, Redwood Coast Trucking, Sierra Pacific Industries, Louisiana Pacific, Humboldt County, Georgia Pacific and his last employer, Foster Lumber in Vallejo.

To his delight and trucking career as a Teamster, he had an opportunity to work on one of the many Star Wars movies (Return of the Jedi), transporting stars and cast members around the various movie sets in Smith River. Jim was very knowledgeable about operating heavy equipment and was an asset to his employers. He enjoyed working and interacting with all of his trucking friends on the road, while they enjoyed laughing and telling jokes to pass the long hours on the highway. He could find humor in any situation.

Jim was a member of the Teamsters, Freshwater and Humboldt Granges, Native Sons of the Golden West and the Swiss Club. He loved spending time at his home on Kneeland that he and his wife built together on the family ranch. Jim looked forward to hunting season, cutting wood, and enjoying family and friends throughout the year. He also enjoyed playing rummy with his wife, Kathy, and cribbage with his father, Erwin and son, Terry. Jim and his father were very close, and he was proud of the fact that they shared the same name and birthday. He was also an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Giants baseball. Jim had many loyal dogs throughout the years that brought him much joy. His last two dogs, Coco and Mazey, provided him comfort and companionship.

Jim is survived by his wife Kathleen (Kathy); his daughter Stephannie Fredrickson Sykes of Rio Linda, Calif.; his step-children Kimberly Wallace of Elk Grove, Calif., and Eric Wallace of Prineville, Ore.; his three granddaughters – Kaylee Joseph (Casey), Cheyenne Wallace, and Breana Fredrickson. He is also survived by his brother Duane Fredrickson (Karen) of Kneeland, and sister Darlene Shearer (Steven) of Eureka; nieces and nephews – Jason Fredrickson (Emily), Melissa Fredrickson Grace, Kevin Meyer (Barb), Lynn Hillegeist (Paul), Kelly Ramirez (Alejandro), Ryan Grammer, and many more relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents Erwin & June Fredrickson, his son Terry Fredrickson, his son-in-law David Sykes, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Joseph & Lucille Arruda.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Chris West and his Staff at Open Door Clinic, the St. Joseph Hospital ICU/PCU Staff, Palliative Team, and Home Health for their care and thoughtfulness; as well as Jim’s brother Duane Fredrickson, and good friends Vickie McCulley, Earl Morgan, John and Lynn Raymond, Jerry and Carol Crnich, and his nephews Jason Fredrickson (Emily) and Kevin Meyer (Barb) who were always there to lend him a helping hand when needed.

Memorial services will be held at Sanders Funeral Home on March 1, 2025 at 11 a.m. (1835 E St. Eureka) with a Celebration of Life following at the Humboldt Grange #501 (5845 Humboldt Hill Rd. Eureka). A private family burial will be conducted at the Iaqua Cemetery on Kneeland at a later date.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim Fredrickson Jr.’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.