Obituaries : James Azbill; Skilled Builder of Miniature Ships

James “Jim” Azbill, whose intricate models of ships are on permanent display at the Ventura County Maritime Museum in Oxnard, has died of a brain tumor. He was 68.

Azbill loved boats all his life and for the past nine years lived on his 45-foot ketch, The Escapade, at the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, said his daughter, Gail Lengel.. Azbill, a machinist who owned a manufacturing plant in Canoga Park, retired five years ago and began concentrating on miniature ship building, Lengel said.

“He really loved to work with his hands,” she said. “And building model ships became his passion.”

Azbill built all of his models from scratch and paid close attention to detail, using plans similar to the original ship’s blueprints. His model frigate Confederacy is based on a vessel built in 1778 and is fitted with 34 guns, Lengel said.

That and a fishing schooner called L.A. Dunton, are on display at the museum, she said.

Besides Lengel, Azbill is survived by a son, Steve Azbill of Nevada City, a stepson, Jim Azbill of Redding, and four grandchildren.

No services will be held at Azbill’s request, Lengel said. His ashes will be scattered at sea, she said.

Burkhardt, Emma, 88, of Thousand Oaks, retired cook for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.

Cano-Gonzalez, Aime, infant, of Newbury Park. Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.

Di Prospero, Malvina, 87, of Thousand Oaks and of Scotch Plains, N.J., homemaker. Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.

Koller, Raymond E., 67, of Thousand Oaks, film technician for Technicolor. Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.

Krekelberg, Liberty Bell, 75, of Newbury Park, homemaker. Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, Thousand Oaks.