James Edward "Jimmy" Poletti passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, at a VA hospital in San Diego, Calif. Jimmy was born in San Luis Obispo in 1949 to Roy and Levina Poletti, a fourth generation San Luis Obispo native. He graduated from San Luis Obispo High School in 1967, where he was involved in FFA and played football. A week after he graduated, Jimmy joined the military and served three years in the U.S. Army. He served three tours in Vietnam as a member of Company D 18th Engineer Battalion, where he earned a National Defense Service Medal, Vietman Service Medal with Six Bronze Stars and an Army Commendation Medal. Jimmy enjoyed traveling in Mexico and Central America and had lived most of the last 10 years in Nicaragua. He had a giving heart and often helped those in need. Jimmy is survived by his mother, Levina; sister, Diana Goodes (William); brother, Dennis; sons Anthony (Kim) and Patrick John; two grandsons Nicholas and Alexander; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy J. Poletti Sr.; and brother, Roy "Joey" Poletti Jr. A memorial, with military honors, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at the San Luis Obispo Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the San Luis Elks Lodge, 222 Elks Lane in San Luis Obispo. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to any veterans organization.