James Brockett

James “Jim” Elston Brockett
October 22, 1930 - April 25, 2026

James “Jim” Elston Brockett went to be with the Lord on April 25, 2026. He was
95 years old. He was born on October 22, 1930 in Kansas City, Kansas to
Emory and Minty Brockett. In his youth his family moved to Selma, California. It
was there that he met the love of his life, raised a family and lived a life of
service to his country and community.

Upon graduating Selma High School, Jim joined the United States Marine
Corps. He served in the Korean War from 1950- 1952. After being honorably
discharged, he worked as a teller.

Jim joined the Selma Police Department in 1955. After moving up the ranks, he
was appointed to Chief of Police. He honorably served there for 25 years.
During his life of service to the city of Selma he held many jobs. In addition to
being the Chief of Police he was at one time the city manager, city council
member and the mayor of Selma. He was also a member of the Selma Masonic
Lodge and proudly wore his Masonic ring. After retirement from public service
he went to work as a teller again.

Of all his accomplishments, his favorite was marrying the love of his life. He met
Thelma in high school but he wasn’t able to marry her right away. He thought
she was worth the wait! They raised three children together until she passed in
1986.

In 2016 he was able to attend the Honor Flight with his son-in-law David
Arevalo. He was one of 68 veterans who went on this trip. He called it amazing
and emotional. He said the trip was a significant experience allowing him to
honor friends who were killed in service.

Jim loved to fish, camp and backpack. He, along with his family, spent many
summers camping and fishing the many lakes in the area. A true marine, he
loved to backpack. Those trips were never shorter than a couple of weeks long.
He continued to enjoy his favorite pastimes when he moved to Big Timber,
Montana with his son, Ryan and his family, in 2017.

He is preceded in death by his parents Emory and Minty Brockett, his wife,
Thelma Norene Brockett and his brothers Bill, Budd and Donn Brockett.
Jim is survived by his children, Carla (Brockett) Correia and her husband,
Steven, Sarah (Brockett) Arevalo and her husband, David, Ryan Brockett and his
wife, Tracie. He is survived by his grandchildren, Norene Correia, Rebecca
Huerta and her husband, Ismael, DJ Arevalo and Anna Woosley, Carl Arevalo
and his fiancé, Emily Miller, Mark Arevalo and his wife, Skylar and Austin
Brockett. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Thelma and Jameson
Martinez, Emma and Santiago Huerta, Max and Jade Arevalo, Preston and
Savanah Miller, Carter and Avilyne Arevalo and Novalee and Ivy Arevalo.
Jim’s Celebration of Life will be July 13, 2026 at 10:00 at the Selma Cemetery
followed by a reception at the Selma Portuguese Hall.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Pella Lutheran
Church 1505 Evergreen St, Selma, Ca. 93662