"My Brother Jim was like no one else I ever knew. This card he sent us showed he loved us all and wasn’t afraid to show it or say it. I will miss him terrible. I know we all will."
Love,
Cath
My thoughts are with all of Jim's family and friends today. He was a wonderful, kind, intelligent man, and definitely one of a kind. He will be very missed. -
Amy
I just opened Jim’s Easter greeting (link below) this morning, Tuesday, April 13th and absolutely enjoyed one of the most lovely “cards” I have ever received. This afternoon I learned of Jim’s passing. 2 short years ago Jim gave Julie and I one of the most invigorating environmental tours of Nevis we could EVER request. He was an immensely larger-than-life person, nearly totally void of vanity and ego, aesthetics were tertiary to him – his sole life’s purpose seemed to be for the study and love of flora, fauna, marine biology, meteorology and learning-learning-learning.
May the Almighty bless and keep his eternal soul,
Eric & Julie
Ed and I knew Jim for the last 13 or 14 years. He was always very kind to us. He helped me a very great deal with my shell research on Nevis. I also very much enjoyed working with him long distance to write the approximately 100 short articles on Trip Advisor that are about Nevis.
I got my last email from Jim this morning. It was sent at 11:21 pm last night. I can’t believe he’s gone. articles on Trip Advisor that are about Nevis.
If there is anything at all we can do, please let me know. My husband and I are coming to Nevis tomorrow and staying for 3 weeks at Cross Isles. articles on Trip Advisor that are about Nevis.
Much love,
Susan and Ed
Jim Johnson was a very good friend of ours. I think we first met him, Nikki, Jessica and Patrick about 10 years ago, but Jessica will remember the year better than I can. As a nature lover and naturalist myself, I really admired the breadth and depth of Jim's knowledge and understanding of, and deep love and respect for, the nature of Nevis.
Jim was very kind. He was always ready to help me with my seashell research by driving me to a locality, or letting me know that a new patch of sand had appeared somewhere on the coast that looked as if it might be good for finding species of mollusks that I had not recorded before on Nevis.
Via the internet, over the course of a couple of years, Jim and I also worked together creating and fleshing out the over 100 TripAdvisor articles that are about Nevis and about Charlestown. It was very interesting and a lot of fun working on them. Jim would add in new photos as we went along, and I would add to the prose descriptions and update them.
Jim and I exchanged a lot of emails, pretty much all year every year. The night before the accident, he sent me an email at 11:20pm. I got it the next morning and replied to it, thinking of course that he was still alive. When Quentin Henderson told me what had happened I could not believe it, because I felt I had talked to Jim that morning. It has taken me a while to accept the fact that he is no longer with us. I still catch myself saying "Oh, I will ask Jim about that..."
Losing him is a great loss to the island in so many ways, a great loss to his family and relatives, and a great loss to his friends. We must console ourselves by thinking how fortunate we were to know such an exceptional person for as long as we did know him.
love to all,
Susan and Ed
I am so, so sad to hear of Jim's passing. My family and I first met Jim and Nikki and the kids on an Easter Egg Hunt that they put on for the Four Seasons Hotel too many years ago. The eggs were actually brightly painted coconuts. Over the years we returned to Nevis 8 or more times -- always taking multiple hikes with Jim to the most magical places -- flower filled forests, toad ponds, hermit crab hideaways, gorges, mountaintops, mysterious ruins . . . No matter how many times you returned to the same place with Jim, it was always a new adventure. We loved the knowledge he shared . . . a mile a minute . . . and his jokes . . . and his joy at sharing it with us. Nevis will never be seen the same way again. I am sure her heart weeps for her brave supporter and defender. To Nikki, Jessica, Patrick and all of Jim's family -- we are so very sorry for your loss. He will live in our hearts forever and he will also be forever missed.
David and Ann
Katie, Jill and Allison
My aplogies for the tardiness of this response but I just arrived in London and found my landlines (inc. computer) out. Michael and I are devastated over Jim's tragic death. Jim and his family (you guys) are a part of our Nevis life. We met you all about 20 plus years ago and remember lunches where you kids could barely sit through the food as you were so anxious to 1) jump in the pool and 2) watch TV!
Jim and I hiked up to the newly discovered ruins above our house late March this year where he showed me around and told me Vince Hubbard's that it was probably the early remnants of the original Golden Rock plantation which is of great importance to me as I am submitting a research paper to Harvard on 17thc. sugar development in the British West Indies soon.
Jim was a good friend of mine and a constant source of e-mail jokes, pictures and bon mots. We commnicated weekly. Michael adored him and if we ever had a question about anything Michael would announce "It's time to call the Answer Man" and Jim would usually provide a solution - or two.
Our heart goes out to you and Patrick and Nikki. Please stay in touch.
Heart's best.
CZ & JMZ
Hello,
I’m Jim’s sister Debbie. My brain has disappeared for the last couple days so I’ve not been at work which is the only place I have access to a computer. I loved my brother to the deepest point of my heart and soul. For many of you that didn’t know Jim growing up you should know that he has always hiked through the woods and made things from nothing. Jim didn’t care so much for sports but we’d be up at the crack of dawn headed into the woods with our peanutbutter sandwiches and crackers. Back then we drank from the streams or the grape vines back in the woods so didn’t carry drinks. We’d be gone til sundown busy with building trails and forts. Jim was 6 years old then-I was 9 his brother Roy 8 and sister Cathy 5. Why mama never worried is beyond me. We’d carry out her quilts and bed sheets to build teepees,etc. Jim was in the High school band at school and played the saxophone. He had an Appaloosa (horse) he called Sandy that he rode.
Jim was always reading and as he reached his teenage years we came to realize a simple fact. No need to argue with Jim cause he was ALWAYS right. No – he ‘was’ ALWAYS right. He was very unique in that there was nothing he didn’t know about and nothing he couldn’t do. Many times Jim came to my rescue both emotionally and keeping me from physical harm. He was always there for me. Jim never said no to any of my requests and always had time to listen. Perhaps the greatest honor Jim gave me was in asking to help with Patricks needs and life as he goes thru his studies at Clemson. I will do everything in my power to see that Jims goal for his children are reached. Any help towards that goal will be appreciated. Our sister Judi is setting up a fund for Jessica and Patrick.
I could go on literally forever as many of you could but I’ll save other stories for other times. I will miss Jim beyond my own comprehension and will love him always as my brother and the awesome man he had become.
Love
Deb
Am writing to you through tear-filled eyes, not so much from a total-total sadness for Jim’s passing ahead, but because I KNOW FOR SURE now that he is building a very-very-very special teepee in a very-very-very special grassy meadow in Heaven with our Almighty. He’s hiking trails, canyons, draws, mountains and beaches that we can only DREAM of!! He’s drinking from streams and creeks so sweet and delightful and these are streams and creeks that we can only fantasize about here on planet Earth…and he’s in a very-very-very good place. Jim was the epitome of a PASSIONATE soul and it is souls like Jim’s that are absolute magnets for us all to be like and to retain as what total Contagious Enthusiasm he possessed and shared to the absolute “nth degree.”
SKOAL to Jim Johnson!!
Eric & Julie
Please attach my name to any email list you may be putting together - I suspect I am not on Jim's Walk-Nevis distribution list.
This is a terrible loss - I was just emailing with him a week or two back regarding some bat activity on island - Jim and I had a long history of bat research on island and he was a coauthor on one of our papers http://bathead.com/batpdf/NevisBats.pdf
http://bathead.com/caribres.html
Scott
My wife Polly and daughter Amanda and I knew Jim for many years and got together on every Nevis visit for hikes, explorations, long conversations about flora and fauna and history and local politics and almost everything else; his brain was a thousand-volume encyclopedia, gladly shared. It was obvious early on that Jim represented a priceless resource of knowledge and enthusiasm and love for Nevis; his life was a nonstop effort to spread understanding and respect for nature and all living things, and to share his wonder and pleasure. Jim’s energy was unflagging and his attitude utterly selfless. The goodwill he engendered for the island and its history and people among thousands of visitors over many years is unmeasurable. He gave so much more to Nevis than Nevis ever gave him. There was only one Jim Johnson: unforgettable, irreplaceable.
Bruce
From time to time I'd be on a hike with Jim and would ask him for a couple of minutes of silence so that I could simply absorb what there was to hear up on the mountain. Jim would try, but struggled mightily. He just had so much to give and simply could not contain the obvious love and exuberance he had to share in his knowledge of Nevis and all its little nooks and crannies. He was simply a facinating man to know. He'll be missed, but more to the point, he won't be replaced. There simply is not another soul on earth with his passion for the home here that many of us have adopted. So Jim, I forgive you for not being quiet, if only for a moment. Keep talking and sharing your love of Nevis. But take a day off every now and then. You deserve the rest.
David
JIM JOHNSON
It was with the greatest shock and sadness that we heard of Jim's tragic death. Our hearts go out to his family.
Since we started work on the Definitive Caribbean Guide back in 2004, Jim has been one of our greatest sources of island information. The Definitive Guide of Nevis would not be what it is today without him. His love for the island, its people, history and above all nature knew no bounds - his enthusiasm was infectious, and he never allowed our interest in the island to wane for a second! There are large tranches of our guide, which are there and show the in-depth knowledge that they do, entirely thanks to Jim. He gave of himself tirelessly for his beloved Nevis – the island has lost one of its greatest treasures.
In all the time I have known Jim, he never once said he didn’t have time and he never let us down when we needed his help. ‘Jim, we desperately need an original shot of home grown Nevis product’ – guess what would come back the very same day! I believe if he could talk to us now, one of his wishes would be that his great work to promote the wonders of Nevis will continue in the same spirit – organically, spiritually and selflessly.
As a tribute to Jim, over the next few weeks we are devoting our Blog (http://definitivecaribbean.blogspot.com/) to publishing a series of his articles about flora and fauna on Nevis written by Jim over the years and sent to us for publication.
We will miss him greatly, and so will Nevis.
Feona and the team at www.DefinitiveCaribbean.com
It is amazing to read the wonderful tributes to Jim from all over the world and especially from his family – but not surprising. As many have said; he had an impact on us all.
Barbara
I cant express in words the feeling I had when I heard the news. Jim will be greatly missed, tho I have only known him a relativly short time he was a fantastic person to talk to and a great friend. My thoughts are with Jessica and Patrick, they both know I'm here to help if they need it.
Shores
I am Jim's Niece by his sister Debbie. Opening up the email from Uncle Jim the morning he died was bittersweet. The subject line read "Hope this makes you smile". It was just your typical "forwarded" email, but this one made me think harder about appreciating the little things in life and reminded me of how fragile and precious our lives are. Uncle Jim taught everyone about nature, appreication for nature, and his love for life and those he shared it with. Uncle Jim and I kept in touch regularly, and my summer in Nevis years ago is the most memorable I have ever had. I have always told stories of my adventures on Nevis with Uncle Jim, and I have always encouraged people to visit the wonderful island of Nevis. I know it won't be the same without Uncle Jim to point out every single plant and animal...but I do hope to return some day. I hope that people will continue to adventure on the island and appreciate it the way the people of Nevis do, including Uncle Jim and his family. It is such a pleasure to read of everyone's experiences with Jim, and it really helps to ease the loss by reading about the wonderful experiences everyone shared. Our love for Jim will go on forever, but now I gues I will have to google my questions instead of asking Jim...because I always thought his answers were better than anything I could find on the internet! Love you Uncle Jim!
Cille
I met Jim last June while traveling with five of my students as part of a Global Ecosystems course. Our walk with Jim was the highlight of the trip, and my students were touched by his knowledge and unique way of bringing nature to life. One of the things that also struck me was how proud he was of his kids. In between telling us about how a certain plant would kill us if we ate it, he would brag about his kids. Within five minutes of the walk I knew we were into something special, and I knew I needed to share some of this with friends and family at home. The small amount of video I shot has been a favorite at the college, and has even sparked several student paper topics. I know how much Jim was treasured, and we are going to miss him badly this June when we return with another class. Youtube is a wonderful way to celebrate his legacy, so I put our little tribute up there for everyone to celebrate. You will be missed Jim. Thank you for the impact you had on my students and on me.
James
As owners of a small guest house in Nevis we have know Jim for at least 15 years. We have always recommended a hike with Jim to our guests and he has always exceeded their expectations by tailoring outings to the guests abilities and interests and at the same time throughly entertained them with Nevis lore. Many guests signed up for 2nd and 3rd hikes with Jim. Several years ago our teenage daughter tried to sign up for every hike Jim listed in his brochure. She worshiped him, she was a slow walker, but Jim always waited for her and didn't make her feel that she was holding up the group, he packed little treats to eat and was full of his stories. Jim was the best. I don't know what we will do without him.
Anne and Jonathan
Mary Ann and I were Peace Corps volunteers with Jim in the mid-80's. He seemed to know everyone and everything about Nevis and enthusiastically shared his knowledge and his passion for learning. The sound of Jim's motorcycle coming up the hill to my home meant a new adventure awaited, whether presenting coconut "Christmas trees" to unsuspecting neighbors, and then staying to "decorate" them or showing us luminous diatoms adrift in the night sea. It's some comfort to know he was celebrated for his work on Nevis and far, far beyond. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Julia and Mary Ann
I am so sorry to hear about the death of Jim Johnson and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. My husband and I met Jim quite by accident seven years ago. We were cruising with Sea Dream and had signed up for a 'moderate' hike up Mt. Nevis. We'd expected to be gone a couple of hours. Well, a couple of hours into the hike, we realized we were on the 'strenuous' version!
Anyway, there was no way at this point in the hike that we would have considered turning back, especially realizing that to do so would result in the entire group having to turn back as well since Jim wouldn’t leave anyone behind or alone on his hikes. So onward and upward we trudged! This hike truly was one of the Most Memorable experiences of my life. I really wondered at times if I could make it to the top and I don’t think it would have been possible without Jim’s experience and encouragement. It took us about 5 hours to reach the summit and less than 2 to come back down! Jim had hidden bottles of water along the entire way for us to drink and he had packed us snacks as well…guava was one I remember and also some homemade wheat bread (he said he’d stolen it from the kid’s lunches!) with honey. Those snacks tasted so good! I think the thing that amazed me most was that Jim did the hike in a pair of Jelly Sandals! I have pictures!
My purpose in writing this is to let the family know how far Jim’s legacy reached.
God Bless your grieving hearts.
Sincerely with sadness,
Darla and John
My wife and I went for a walk with Jim on 12th April. He was fascinating, informative and a lot of fun.We were shatterd to learn that he had died in tragic circumstances a few hours later. The beautiful island of Nevis has lost a treasure and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. We have very fond memories of that walk and have our photographs of him and those of us that he took.
David
I was captivated by Jim's intellect and personality on our tour of Nevis' woods. I especially remember him teaching a few of my friends and I how to split open a coconut and suck out the cocunut to get to the juice. What a great guy.
Sam
Jim gave 20 or so students from Proctor Academy a tour this past November, and we will never forget him. Every bit of enthusiasm he brought to his tour of Nevis has stuck with us. I still tell his stories to friends and family, and I will never forget the incredible things he taught us. All the best to his kids that he spoke so highly of. You two sounded brilliant and are very lucky to have had a father with such a spunk. Our thoughts are with you.
SophieI met Jim with a bunch of classmates through our Ocean Classroom voyage this past fall. He was such an awesome man-so intelligent and very witty. Walking through the rainforest of Nevis, Jim taught us so much about the wildlife, whether it be about plants we should avoid, or plants we could make into awesome hats! I will never forget his chants and laughter as my classmate learned how to suck the milk out of a coconut. Jim was absolutely awesome, and I only knew him merely for hours. His death is such a tragedy and he will be remembered forever by every Ocean Classroom student. Rest in peace, Jim.
MaggieJim Johnson was so intelligent and enthusiastic about his job and life. I feel so fortunate to have known him for as long as I did, for he is truly one of a kind. In my short time in Nevis, and down south, Jim stuck out in my mind greatly. He truly is a special person
JacksonJim, I will miss your newsletters, all of which I still have on my computer since the days my family and I lived on Nevis. You were a dear friend to our entire family and I am glad that we kept in contact since the days we moved away. You will be missed, and I know James will remain in contact with Patrick. We will think of you when we look up at the stars. LInda, Gary, James, Riley and Jack.
LindaMy Husband and I just returned from another trip to Nevis. We had the same hire car we had back in November. When I opened the glove compartment there was a little donkey Jim had made us one Sunday at the Gallipot out of corks and cocktail sticks. It made me cry. We miss him. Nevis is just not the same. He took us kayaking in November and I was terribly sick over the side of the boat. I was embarrased but Jim laughed and said hey I have kids I've seen everything. My Husband went up Mount Nevis twice with Jim and enjoyed other educational trips. Miss you so very much..
LisaI will miss you. You were a special man. We all had fun on the
TriciaIf you'd like to submit a fond memory or a story about Jim Johnson, you can use the form below (your full name and email address WILL NOT be included on the website in order to protect your privacy):
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