James L. Toman ("Jim"), age 93, of Brea, CA and Oakland, ME passed away on April 14, 2019. He was born in Augusta, Maine on March 12, 1926 to parents James Leo Toman Sr. and Georgie Reeves Toman.

Jim attended schools in Randolph and Gardiner, Maine, and he graduated from Springfield College with a BS degree. He earned a Master's Degree in education from Northern Illinois University.

In Maine, he taught and coached at Van Buren and Bar Harbor High Schools where his team won a state basketball championship in 1955. He also taught and coached at the high school level in Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. Jim was a graduate student at the University of Southern California when he accepted an administrative position in the Scottsdale School District in Scottsdale, Arizona. There he spent five years overseeing the physical education and health programs for grades K-12. He left Scottsdale to accept a position as Coordinator of the Men's Undergraduate Physical Education Program at the University of Southern California. He taught at USC for 28 years, retiring in 2001.

Jim was a Naval veteran of World War II, serving on Motor Torpedo Boats (PTs) in the South Pacific and the Philippines. Hobbies included volunteering, physical fitness, traveling, fishing, and working the Iditarod Dog Race in Alaska. He volunteered also for the St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, CA until June 2018 and for the Olympics. Jim traveled to many countries over his lifetime and he enjoyed the pleasures of new cultural experiences and dining.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother George Toman, sister Jean Toman O'Brien, and son Terry Toman.

Survivors include his wife Lourdes E. Toman, and his beloved step-children. James Toman is also survived by his estranged children: Kevin Toman, Peggy Grant Toman, Colleen Sargent and his grandchildren.

Jim's life was celebrated with the dignity he deserved in early May. He had a beautiful vigil accompanied by a harpist at the Chapman Funeral Home in Orange, CA on May 6, 2019; the vigil was followed by a Catholic service at the Good Shepherd Church, and a Veteran's service led by Navy Chaplin David Plank at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on May 7, 2019.

Jim had the biggest love for fresh Maine lobster and Maine blueberries. It was his greatest enjoyment to introduce folks to Maine including the infamous Cabbage Island, Bar Harbor, and Boothbay Harbor. His simplest pleasures while in Maine over the summertimes included taking the boat out on Messalonskee Lake, going to Acadia National Park, enjoying the views at the Bar Harbor Hotel, and dining at his favorite Maine restaurants.

Jim had a generous soul and was deeply loved by those who had the pleasure of appreciating his gentle and passionate spirit. He was kind and giving and always put others before him. He was a man devoted to God and charitable living. Although his life was 93 years long, he left the world and those who deeply care about him too soon.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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