James Hilliard Trato

May 1, 1940 - November 25, 2018

James Hilliard Trato, 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday morning, November 25, 2018. Jim suffered from a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle on March 25, 2017. He was born on May 1, 1940 to John Hilliard and J. Helen (Thiede)Trato in Battle Creek, Michigan. He graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle Creek in 1958 where he played football and basketball. He attended the Battle Creek Bible Church. After High School he attended Kellogg Community College. He left Michigan in 1959 for Southern California. He attended Azusa Pacific College for two years where he played football and basketball. He graduated from Cal State, L.A. with a degree in History in 1968. He was employed by Aerojet General Corporation in 1962 at the age of 22 as an Administrative Assistant and two years later assigned to Master Document Control Center and received a high security clearance that was top secret for his duties as a Top Secret Control Officer which had to do with special munitions specific to the war in Viet Nam. From 1975 until 1982 he was Director of Administrative Services and the head of Corporate Security. After he left Aerojet he formed his own companies in the field of fuel technology. Jim was a conservative, direct, intense and caring man who was inspired and motivated by the words and ideals of his Christian faith. He loved his children, his family heritage, old time rock and roll, classic cars, learning about fuel technology, and the Pacific Ocean. He was self- educated on many complex topics and this led him on a variety of creative and experimental career endeavors. He has a patent on a product he developed in July 2004. He loved adventure. After he got his pilot's license he was able to own his own small plane. He loved to be part of the sailing races on a large vessel to Ensenada. He loved to create things and to use the never ending strength in his hands to build decks, gardens and restore his 1931 Buick. His kindness, strength and fighting spirit will never be forgotten and he will be missed. We are thankful that he is now free from both physical and mental pain. Jim is survived by his daughter, Jill Heather Trato (Chris) Izu; son, Jason Hilliard Trato, grandson, Brayden James Izu; sister's, Judith Trato Frank and Jacqueline Trato Hammond and brother John (Herb) Trato. Burial will be at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest, California December 16, 2018 @ 2PM. See below for maps, driving directions and times. NO FLOWERS PLEASE and in Lieu of Flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: The Desmond Doss Foundation https://www.desmonddossfoundation.org/donate.php