February 17, 1965- April 4 2020
Jamie Kristian Tinley passed away on April 4, 2020 due to a heart attack in Manhattan Beach, California. He was born to John Henry Tinley and Arloa Joann Tinley in Torrance, CA. He grew up in Palos Verdes, California and graduated from Palos Verdes High School in 1983. After graduating, Jamie went to live in Japan as a Foreign Exchange Student. In 1989, he graduated from UC Davis with a double major in Biology and Philosophy. Jamie then earned his Teaching Credential from CSU Stanislaus in 1993.
Jamie is preceded in death by his mother Arloa Joann Tinley, and his brothers Timmothy, Michael and Bryan Tinley. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Ronda Tinley, his five children, Hope Seaman, Hollie, Hannah, Harmony and Harrison Tinley. He is also survived by his father John Tinley.
Jamie married Ronda Ashabraner in 1989. They lived in Davis California and Sacramento, California before settling in Hilmar California. Jamie and Ronda had five children together. Jamie was a devoted family man. He loved his family more than anything and he was always there to help them with their homework, coaching their soccer teams, helping them with speeches, and spotting them in gymnastics. In addition he taught all of his children how to ski and snowboard. He also taught the family how to play Chess.
After receiving his Teaching Credential, Jamie moved to Hilmar, California. He taught Physics and Biology at Modesto High School for 2 years. In 1994 he moved to Elim Elementary and taught Special Day, 6th grade, and 5th grade. Then he became the Computer Teacher of 4th and 5th graders which he thoroughly enjoyed. After that he moved to be a Computer Tech for the Hilmar Unified School District. He loved solving problems, learning new technology, and he was very patient helping teachers throughout the district with technology. Jamie also helped Connecting Waters Charter School with their online teaching platform Moodle. Jamie created an intricate system that was specifically catered to the needs of an Independent Learning Charter School.
Jamie played soccer in high school and always enjoyed it. While living in Japan, he received his black belt in Judo and Kendo. It was during Jamie’s time in Japan, that he developed a deep love for the Japanese culture. When he was a student at UC Davis, he started their first Judo Club. He continued to teach Judo to kids in Turlock and then received his dream position teaching Judo at CSU Stanislaus. Jamie was loved by the students who took his class. Jamie also started taking Jiu Jitsu at the Turlock Guerilla Jiu Jitsu Club. In addition to his love of the martial arts, Jamie worked for The Foundation for International Understanding where he worked with Japanese Exchange Students. In 2006, Jamie and his family began participating in Tomodachi Gakko, a Japanese Friendship school. Jamie taught the students Kendo and he and his wife Ronda were Directors for two years. Jamie loved snowboarding because he felt like he was painting the mountain as he glided down. He also truly enjoyed playing Chess. This appreciation for Chess led him to start the Chess Club at Elim Elementary and he took the students to tournaments with Merquin Elementary. Jamie was also trying to become a Chess Master. He played diligently. Since Jamie loved trying new things, he started taking piano lessons during the last year of his life because it was always something he wanted to do. A few fun facts about Jamie are: he loved Star Wars, Marvel Movies, Sushi and Ice Cream.
Jamie loved spending time with his family and their pets. Jamie loved life, he was always trying new things and exploring new places. Jamie was a lifelong learner. Everyone loved Jamie, they did not just think he was one of the nicest people they knew. He was the nicest person they knew. Jamie will live on through his children and all of the lives he has touched through teaching, martial arts, and Chess. Jamie’s presence and impact will be forever loved and missed. Jamie lived life through his mom’s mantra, “Life is too important to take seriously” and his own motto which was to “Always focus on the positive”. A private Memorial Service was held.
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