Jim passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at his home in Cortez, CO, at the age of sixty-six. He was born in West-Germany.

Jim served in the U. S. Army National Guard from 1987 through 1992. He served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm from Nov. 1990 through Apr. 1991. He was proud, blessed and very thankful that he was able to “bring all his guys home”. He rose quickly through the ranks and became a Sergeant early in his military career.

Jim learned his trade of Heating and Cooling and Commercial Refrigeration in Phoenix, AZ. He was employed and worked for companies in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado before he decided to form his own company, JNL Mechanical, LLC. His customers were countless businesses and private residents in and around Cortez, CO, and beyond. He worked in this trade for over 35 years.

He was forced to retire a lot earlier than he had planned after he was hit by a car.

Jim loved the mountains and being in the woods. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, hunting, cooking, listening to audiobooks, being outdoors, helping friends and neighbors when he could and “tinkering" in the shop/garage. He also enjoyed sharing what he knew with “young people”. It was important to him to do something right the first time”. Jim was an avid hunter until his injuries from being hit by a car prevented him from doing so. When asked by the Girls Scouts to walk with them in past Veterans Day parades, Jim was “tickled pink”. Several years ago, Jim was active with the American Legion and the VFW where he was an honor guard with both organizations.

Jim wanted to be cremated with his ashes to be scattered at his favorite hunting spot.

He is survived by his wife Heike and his four-legged kids - his service dog Max as well as dogs Shelby and Maggie.

A celebration of life will be on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, from 1 PM – 3 PM at the

American Legion, 320 N Harrison St, Cortez, CO 81321.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any legitimate organizations that support veterans.