Services Held for Hotelier J.W. Colachis

Memorial services were conducted Thursday for James W. Colachis, owner of the Rancho Bernardo Inn, who died of cancer Monday at his home in La Jolla. He was 65.

Colachis, who was born in Phoenix, graduated from the University of Southern California in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He moved to La Jolla in the early 1970s and maintained extensive real estate holdings in both Arizona and California.

Colachis was the chairman of JC Resorts Inc., which owns and operates Rancho Bernardo Inn, Surf & Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach, Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula and Scripps Inn in La Jolla. Colachis was also the founder, owner and chairman of the board of The J. W. Colachis Co., a pioneer in the high-rise apartment building business in Phoenix.

As a civic leader, Colachis served on the board of trustees of the University of San Diego, the Independent Colleges of Southern California, the national board of the Salk Institute and the board of directors of Scripps Clinic of La Jolla.

Last year, Colachis was honored by the USC School of Engineering with the Engineering Alumnus Award for Outstanding Achievement.

He was also a member of the USC Associates in Los Angeles and Chancellor’s Associates at UC San Diego.

Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Strope Colachis; son, August R. Colachis; daughter, Belle Colachis Reed, all of San Diego, and six grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 7727 Girard Ave. The family requested that, instead of flowers, contributions be made to Green Cancer Center at Scripps Clinic of La Jolla.