Hundreds Gather to Celebrate Santa Maria Legend Jim Glines’ Life

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Hundreds of people filled the Pacific Christian Center in Santa Maria on Monday morning to honor local legend Jim Glines, who passed away on Feb. 27 at the age of 82.

"It means the world to us," said John Glines, Jim Glines' son. "We knew he was bigger than life, and he was obviously our Superman, but to see the community come out and honor him just means so much to us. It shows that he was truly appreciated for his work."

Raised on a cattle ranch in the Cuyama Valley, Glines was a graduate of St. Mary's School, Santa Maria High School, and Cal Poly.

After college, Glines began his professional career in banking in Hanford before relocating back home to Santa Maria in 1972. There, he established himself as a beloved member of the community through his immeasurable contributions.

He was a well-known businessman, co-founding the Community Bank of Santa Maria in 2001. A renowned barbecuer, he specialized in the famous "Santa Maria Style BBQ" tradition. Additionally, he was a familiar face and voice at community fundraisers, often serving as an award-winning auctioneer.

"He loved this community," said Anne Glines, Jim Glines' sister. "He always had his hand out to help. He supported veterans, he was always there for the youth, and I don't think he ever knew how to say no. He's going to be missed by so many people. He was a great guy, and I couldn't have had a better brother in the whole world."

Through his efforts—either as an auctioneer or a member of various local boards—Glines helped raise millions of dollars for countless local groups, clubs, schools, organizations, and services.

"He just had a big heart," said his friend Jim Diani. "He was one of the good guys—Mr. Santa Maria. His impact on the community was so broad, influencing almost every aspect of life here. He was larger than life."

Some of the organizations Glines was involved with or helped create included the Santa Maria Police Council, Los Rancheros Visitadores, Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538, Allan Hancock College Boosters, and Pacific Christian Center.

"It's going to leave such a void in the city of Santa Maria," said longtime Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino. "And we're going to realize that. A lot of times, it's hard to pinpoint everything he did because he was always there—always working, always getting the job done."

Those close to Glines say that nearly everyone in Santa Maria has been impacted in some way by his immense contributions.

"If you've been in a community building, played in a park, or banked at Community Bank, whatever you've done, he's probably had a hand in making it successful," said John Glines. "There are two words people keep using to describe him: 'pillar of the community'—and those pillars are falling. The other is 'a mighty oak'—bigger than life in all ways. And on that night, an oak fell in this community, and it's an oak that doesn’t just grow right back."

During the memorial, speakers included Pacific Christian Center Pastor Loren Hicks, past Pacific Christian Center Pastor Rick Bloom, Jim’s sons John and Patrick Glines, and Janet Silveria, who succeeded Glines as President/CEO of Community Bank of Santa Maria.

"Jim was definitely cut from a rare cloth," said Silveria. "God used every natural material on Earth to make that man—he was rare. Jim had a very large life, and he could have cast huge shadows that prevented others from shining, but he didn’t. Instead, he pushed people into the sunlight, put the spotlight on them, and celebrated their greatest attributes. That’s why we all loved Jim so much. He lifted up his causes, everything that tugged at his heartstrings, and shined a light on them. He helped so many people in his generous, giving way."

Those who spoke during the nearly two-hour service described Glines in similar ways: as someone with a sharp sense of humor, a passion for rodeo, a love for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Rams, a deep religious faith, and, above all, a love for family.

“Family was everything to him," said John Glines. "A lot of people knew him as that big oak. He knew he was there to help everybody, but when he was with his family, when he was in dad and granddad mode—his favorite role was granddad. That was what he took the most pleasure and honor in.”

The Glines family indicated that a celebration of life will be held soon at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.

Glines, who helped re-establish the Allan Hancock College Boosters in 2000, was also instrumental in creating the school's rodeo team.

A long-time dream of his was to bring a college rodeo to the Santa Maria area, and that dream became a reality in 2019 when Hancock College officially established its rodeo team. Later this month, his second dream will also come true when Hancock College hosts its inaugural Spring Roundup College Rodeo at the Santa Maria Elks Event Center on March 29-30.

Glines will be honored during the Sunday championship performance, which begins at 1 p.m.

The Glines family hopes the community will come out to support the Hancock program and pay tribute to Glines at the event.

For more information about the Spring Roundup College Rodeo, click here to visit the Hancock Boosters website.

Jim Glines is survived by several family members, including his wife Kathy, sons John and Patrick, five grandchildren, his sister Anne, and many others.