Jim died November 23, 2014, at his home in Wenatchee, WA. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army Air Force during the last days of WWII. He jumped at Missoula for the 1953 and 1957 seasons and at West Yellowstone during the 1954-56 seasons. He shattered his left ankle on a jump and was on crutches for 18 months.

During that down time he enrolled in the University of Montana where he earned his degree. Jim served as an administrative officer for the USFS and later worked on the Alaska pipeline.