James Howard Celestino
June 22, 1963 - April 10, 2021
James Howard Celestino passed away on April 10, 2021 at his home in Bluffdale, UT. He was born in Van Nuys, CA on June 22, 1963. He grew up in the Burbank-Glendale area and graduated from Herbert Hoover High School. In his life, James lived many places and took on many challenges. He served proudly in both the Air Force and the Army Reserve. He lived for a time in North Carolina where he worked in printing before learning the cabinetry and furniture making trades that he would put to use for the rest of his life both professionally and personally. He was an accomplished musician and performed as a drummer in many bands and a variety of genres, making lifelong friends in the process.
Following his second divorce, James returned to his education and rapidly completed a Bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Utah, followed by a Master’s degree in Creative Writing at Antioch University. James joined the faculty at Salt Lake Community College in 2005, where he advanced to Associate Professor and where he continued to serve until his death.
James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. He was quick to tell people that he loved them, readily offered help to those in need, and treated his friends as family.
He was known for his many and varied projects. In addition to music, writing, and cabinetry, James would often have multiple personal projects in the works including (but not limited to) refurbishing a classic car, as well as a boat, and a motorcycle, building his own motorized trike, running internet businesses, building a teardrop trailer, building furniture for his home, creating original artwork, publishing his novel, making his own jerky and cheese, and many others. In recent years, his passion lay in building his own cabin retreat in the desert of Nevada for himself and his family.
James is survived by his wife, Christine, his children, Jennifer (Joe) Hay, David (Krystal Charley), Lauren (Brady) Conklin; his mother Jean Celestino; siblings Barbara, Mark (Carla), Deanna (David Serrano), and Michael; and four grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father James Anthony Celestino, and his son Mischa Wines.
A celebration of life will be on Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City.
In Loving Memory
James was a wonderful professor and colleague. To me, he exemplified everything left of the wild west that exists in America today. He was inspirational, kind, and made you feel like your ideas had value, no matter how crazy they seemed. I’ll miss him very much.
I'm so sorry for the sudden loss of James. May your suffering be eased by knowing how much he loved you and in the spaced he created.
Dear Christine & family, we pray God gives you comfort in the loss of Jamie. We will miss him. Love, Uncle Chuck & Aunt Carla & family
Dear Christine and family, We are so very sorry to hear about the loss of Jamie, I pray for peace and comfort during this time �� love, The Ausherman family.
We are so sorry for your loss. As he was my cousin, he was a senior at Hoover High & I was a sophomore, we thought it was really cool that we had family at the same school. Whenever we saw each other in the hallway, we would always hug each other. He will be deeply missed. Sending love to all his family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Jaime was one of my favorite cousins when we were young, and I was sad to have lost touch with him over the years. I am sorry not to be able to get there for the service. He will be in my thoughts. With deep sympathy, Kym (Raymond) Hough
I am deeply saddened! My family and I are keeping your family in our prayers. God bless!
this caught me way off guard when I found out this had happened. He was a great professor and will be missed. Rest In Peace James
James was not only a wonderful colleague, but a dear friend. I enjoyed his parties and playing Bocce ball, and also the many long conversations and insights he shared with me about teaching and creative writing. He will be very missed. My deepest sympathies! Andie
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Paul Sirstins St. Olaf
I was stunned to hear about James and deeply saddened. The world lost a good soul in him--sending peace and heartfelt condolences to Christine and family.
In Loving Memory
