Jim began his love of forestry in his early teens and held that love throughout his life. He attended Oklahoma State University where he majored in forestry. He worked several long summers during the 1980’s and 90’s as a seasonal employee for the US Forest Service on the Mendocino National Forest in Northern California. This opportunity allowed him to put his knowledge of forestry to the test, where he excelled in timber sale layout, implementation of silvicultural prescriptions, and last but not least, as a highly skilled forest fire fighter. He traveled to multiple states as part of a team fighting fires, including a long stint fighting ‘The Yellowstone Fires’ in 1988. He continued doing forestry work in many states right up to his last days.
He was a bit of a daredevil at heart. He enjoyed off road adventures, fishing anywhere he could drop a hook, and he never met a snow-covered mountain he didn’t want to conquer by snowshoeing, snowboarding, cross country or alpine skiing. He was once dropped off by helicopter on the top of a mountain near Jackson Hole and forged his own path to the bottom on skis. He enjoyed boating and water skiing, and he was an excellent hunter, working as a private guide in the forests of Northern New Mexico.
After moving to Texas, he put his mind to work designing and leading landscape teams in the development of Sun City resorts. He could build anything and eventually parlayed that into a one-man home remodel team. His talents were endless.
Jim loved cooking and was a master at smoking meats, BBQing, and deep-frying turkeys. His family and friends looked forward to his deep-fried turkeys every Thanksgiving. He also loved animals, especially Labrador Retrievers. He had many lab companions throughout his life that brought him great joy, and they definitely loved him back. Jim will be missed by all those that loved him.
He is survived by his mother, Patricia Closson; sister Chris (Steven) Peterson; nephews Taylor (Allison), Austin (Maria), Garrett (Hanna), and Dylan (Kalen) Peterson; three great-nephews and one great-niece.
He was preceded in death by his father James Byron Closson.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, April 21, 2023, at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Memorials to the Capital Humane Society or the family.