Grandfather, Christian, “Mr. Patriotic”

Longtime Claremont resident Jim Brost died November 27 at Sunrise Assisted Living after enduring a long illness. He was 76.

Jim was born February 3, 1944 in Seattle, Washington to loving parents Otto and Agatha Brost. When he was five, the Brost family moved from Glendive, Montana to Pomona. 

He graduated from Pomona High School in 1963, and loved going to high school reunions and catching up with his classmates.

In 1980 he moved to Claremont and in 1990 married the love of his life, Phyllis Brost. They shared 30 amazing years together. Their blended family consisted of six children, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. “The love Jim had for his family was unsurpassed,” his family shared.

Also, “No one loved the holidays as much as Jim; he went all out!” his family added. “He never understood the meaning of the phrase ‘less is more.’”

He and his wife headed the city’s Fourth of July house decorating contest for many years, so of course their home was decorated with hundreds of American flags, rockets, and patriotic signs every year. 

Halloween was another favorite holiday of his. “He made the most gruesome costumes you have ever seen and won many contests throughout the years,” his family continued. “Christmas Eve each year was the icing on the cake because Jim loved nothing more than spending time with his entire family.”

He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Dennis. 

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Brost; siblings, Jerome Brost, of Rancho Cucamonga, and Jan Mitchell, of Arkansas; his children, Angelique Barnum, of Claremont, Jim Brost, of Moreno Valley, Kathy Guthrie, of Rancho Cucamonga, Julie Balzer, of Alta Loma, Wayne Daffern, of Long Beach, and Nancy Meisner, of Caste Rock, Colorado. 

Mr. Brost was also a proud member of Purpose Church in Pomona. “He has now entered his heavenly home and is at peace,” said his family.