JAMES EDWARD RICHARDS

1938 - 2016

JAMES EDWARD RICHARDS obituary, 1938-2016, Durango, CO

BORN

1938

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Hood Mortuary - Durango

1261 East 3rd Avenue

Durango, Colorado

JAMES RICHARDS Obituary

Jim was born March 17, 1938, in Surrey, England, the son of Gladys E. and Bertram R. Money. He immigrated to Canada with his family when he was ten. After graduating from high school, he became a disc jockey and later moved to Bermuda to continue his career, focusing on his favorite music, jazz. He eventually relocated to New York City and worked in advertising. Craving a more satisfying and adventurous life, he returned to England and made plans to sail around the world.

He decided to begin his sailing odyssey from Australia. To accomplish this, Jim drove his Land Rover from England through the length of the African continent, a 6-month journey. He then sailed from Cape Town to Perth, Australia, and drove through the outback to Sydney. Jettisoning his sailing plans, Jim began working as cameraman and director for various advertising agencies, and then formed his own company, Challenges Accepted, producing hundreds of award-winning TV commercials.

After 17 years, he returned to the U.S., a place he felt was his true home, and obtained his citizenship. Settling in Durango with his wife, Jean, they found the property of their dreams, built their house, and planted hundreds of trees. Jim created an outstanding HO scale model railroad in the basement; in his studio above, he wrote The Road to Narromine about his experiences flying sailplanes. He was also the mastermind behind "The Grammar Police."

Jim was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer the first week of 2016. On March 19th he passed away in the home he loved, with Jean by his side. He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends from Colorado and around the world.

A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held at a later date.

For more about Jim's story, log on to www.hoodmortuary.com.

Published by The Durango Herald on Apr. 14, 2016.
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3 Entries

I may be repeating myself.... but that is okay.... Jim and I had a VERY GOOD relationship during our “ work days” in Bermuda... he played a key role which contributed... eventually... to significantly advancement in the U.S. “field” of radio presentation....for me!!!
He had intelligence ... and a very balanced approach to work etc.... I hope those who were “closer to him” than I.... will memorialize him appropriately!!!!!
Dennis Owens (retired, in Naples FL)
( legal name...Richard Dennis Owens)
Incidentally his “earlier Life” bore a very surprising similarity ... to mine!!!!

Dennis Owens

April 8, 2021

I met Jim in Bermuda...we worked together at the radio station there, known as ZBM ...I received some timely and important support from him while in Bermuda, which I would eventually be able to exploit, artistically, in Washington D.C. culminating in a morning radio show which I "held down" for close to 22 years. During that time, by a most amazing coincidence, I reconnected with Jim via a listener, who shared a major interest with him, namely ---Model Trains, assembling and exhibiting... I became, in a casual way, a member of a circle of individuals who shared comments etc thru a network he created, via Computer. Although I did visit with him in New York, years ago...I never reconnected IN PERSON with him, when several attempts to do so...fell through ...the"passing" of another sets one to thinking very personally, and one has a variety of feelings. My most sincere condolences I offer to his family, especially his wife.He lived an adventurous Life... we can be sad, but let us also congratulate him for what he achieved and the kind of person he was. Dennis Owens, Naples Florida

Dennis Owens

July 20, 2016

ALMIGHTY GOD HAS GIVEN US FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO COMFORT US DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.JEREMIAH 29:11-12

TT

April 16, 2016

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