Jim passed away on July 16, 2002, in Hillsboro, Oregon, from a brain tumor. He was born in Denver but was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jim attended Columbia Military Academy, the University of Arkansas and the University of Montana where he graduated with a degree in Forestry. After jumping for several years (he had more than 100 jumps), he made a career in the Forest Service retiring in 1988.

Following retirement, he began his own business "The Elm Tree," a woodworking company specializing in fine hardwood boxes, puzzles, furniture, urns and woodturning.