Jimmy D. O'Quinn (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Jimmy Delbert O’Quinn, the only child of Charles “Guy” O’Quinn and Bessie Mae Carden O’Quinn, was born July 28, 1935, in Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in his home, in Perris, California, at the age of eighty-five years, ten months, and twelve days.
At an early age he was attracted to the sound of the trombone. His interest in music led to many wonderful activities throughout his life: concert band, orchestra, marching band, football rallies, parades, (including the Sweepstake award at the 1949 all Western Band Review in Long Beach, California), solo appearances, inter-school brass quartet/sextet competition, jazz festivals, and lasting friendships.
In 1953, as a freshman at Cal Berkeley, he was placed second chair 1st trombone in the Cal band. The same year some classmates invited him to go hear some jazz music in “The City (San Francisco). Lu Watters, a trumpet player and Melvin “Turk” Murphy, a trombone player, had created what they called West Coast Jazz. It was a form of the distinctly American traditional jazz. Jimmy was hooked and followed many “trad” bands at special concerts, and festivals for the rest of his life. One of his favorite old songs is titled, “When I Leave This World Behind”. Here are the words of that song: “I know a millionaire who’s burdened down with care – a load is on his mind – he’s thinking of the day when he must pass away and leave his wealth behind. I haven’t any gold to leave when I grow old – somehow it passed me by – I’m very poor but still I’ll leave a precious will when I must say goodbye – I’ll leave the sunshine to the flowers – I’ll leave the Springtime to the trees – and to the old folks I’ll leave the memories of a baby on their knees – I’ll leave the night time to the dreamers – I’ll leave the moon above to those in love when I leave this world behind”.
During high school, Jimmy worked weekends and summer vacations at Keller Furniture Company in Corona, California where he was taught how to install asphalt tile, linoleum and carpet by the owner’s son, Lou Keller. This knowledge enabled him to join Local Union # 1247 when he moved to the Los Angeles area.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior when he was fourteen years old. He attended UC Berkeley, UCR, UCLA and graduated from Western Pilgrim College with a B.A. in Theology. After college he was the assistant pastor at the El Monte Wesleyan Methodist Church and subsequently was the pastor at the new Wesleyan Methodist Church in Winslow, Arizona.
One of his favorite songs is titled, “Give The World A Smile Each Day”. Here are the three verses: “Are you giving to the world a sunny smile? Helping lessen someone’s dreary mile? Do you greet the world with song as through life you pass along, cheering those whom you may meet along life’s way? You may be a shining light today, pointing souls to heaven’s glory way – if you let your light so shine that they see the path divine. As you wear a pleasant smile along life’s way, just a bright and sunny smile will win many souls from dreary paths of sin, lift them up on higher plains where they hear the glad refrains of the smiling band of workers on life’s way. CHORUS: Give the world a smile each day, helping someone on life’s way. From the paths of sin bring the wanderers into the Master’s fold to stay. Help to cheer the lone and sad, help to make some pilgrim glad. Let your life so be that all the world may see the joy of serving Jesus with a smile”.
Following the ministry in Winslow, Jimmy returned to the Los Angeles area and pursued the flooring trade until he retired December 31, 2019.
1st Corinthians, Chapter 15 and Verse 44 tells us that there is a natural or earthly body that the soul inhabits while alive on this earth, and that there is a celestial or heavenly body that the soul will inhabit after death. Jimmy left his earthly body on June 9, 2021 at 6:40 p.m.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Paraschiva Florina Nate O’Quinn; two daughters, La Donna and Dayle; a son, Gregory; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several cousins; and many friends.
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