January 22, 1942 – May 7, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of James Preston Fain on May 7, 2026. James was a true Ventura original—a lifelong resident whose life, friendships, and passions were deeply rooted in the community he loved.
James was born on January 22, 1942, in Marshall, Arkansas, to William “Floyd” Fain and Nora Mae Passmore. In 1943, the family relocated to California, settling first in La Conchita along the Ventura Rincon, where Floyd worked as an oil worker. Over the years, they lived on Simpson Street on the Ventura Avenue before finally putting down roots in Oak View, where James was raised. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1960.
As a teenager in Oak View, James worked at the local gas station, where he developed a lifelong love for cars, engines, and racing. That passion would shape much of his life. Cars were never just a hobby for James—they were his craft, his community, and his joy.
After high school, James apprenticed as a meat cutter with his uncle in Coolidge, Arizona, before returning home to Ventura, where he worked for Santa Cruz Markets from 1962 to 1976.
In 1962, James married his teenage sweetheart, Sally Chambers, and together they welcomed three children. Although they later divorced in 1974, this time also marked the beginning of James’s racing years. He competed at the legendary Lion’s Drag Strip in Long Beach, racing a 1951 Kaiser Henry J and later a 1959 Chevy Corvette.
James was widely known and respected in the car community as a drag racer, street rod enthusiast, builder, and lifelong car guy. He served as President of the Ventura County Timing Association, where he helped promote drag racing locally. Under his leadership, the association sponsored major drag racing events at the former Camarillo Air Base, bringing nationally recognized dragsters and funny cars to Ventura County. These races were hugely successful and left a lasting impression on the local motorsports community.
In the early 1980s, James expanded his racing passion to ¾ midget car racing and formed a racing team with his childhood friend, Larry Messmore. Together, James and Larry became a midget racing team at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, sharing countless nights at the track fueled by their lifelong friendship and camaraderie.
In 1975, James met Connie Ruiz. They married shortly thereafter and built a life together grounded in partnership, perseverance, and shared determination. Together they founded Fain’s Auto Parts, which grew into a successful speed shop and automotive machine shop in Ventura. From 1976 to 2011, the business was a staple of the local automotive community, reflecting James and Connie’s hard work, grit, and commitment to doing things right.
After retiring from racing, James turned his focus to vintage cars, restoring and preserving them with the same pride and precision that had defined his racing years. His garage—filled with awards, trophies, and stories—stands as a testament to a lifetime devoted to cars and craftsmanship.
James is survived by his wife of 50 years, Connie Fain, and his sister, Marcia Plaxton. He was preceded in death by his sisters Melba Watts and Jestine Conway, and his brothers Cecil, Donald, and Douglas Fain.
He leaves behind his children Jimmy Fain, Darin Fain, Dana Kennedy, and Tina Fain; his grandchildren Adam, Noah, JJ, Keyanna, Kayla, Jewel, Hannah, and Samantha; and two great-grandchildren, Calix and Kamara.
James will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a loyal friend, and a man whose life was lived with purpose, perseverance, and horsepower.
Please join us as we celebrate Jim's life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the River Community Church, 889 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura, Ca 93001. Reception will follow.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.