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Welcome to the memorial page for
James Baumgarner
December 28, 1938 ~ January 2, 2017 (age 78) 78 Years Old Leave a Condolence
Message from Jim 'Speedy' Mathews
January 13, 2017 3:30 PM
In the newsroom, JB was a genuine legend. I worked with him from the late 1980s until he retired, and the stories about him are legion. Most of us will offer, with little prompting, recollections about naps under his desk, or hilarious quotes, or his back-and-forth with Lew Townsend, or his watches...all those watches!
But really beneath that façade of a folksy guy was the heart of a genuinely talented reporter. He often was able to persuade knowledgeable officials to give out rich detail just by leading them to believe he didn't know much about the subject. And boy, did he know his subject.
JB was one of the last of a breed, when newsrooms were special places full of idiosyncratic, decidedly un-corporate people who cared about finding out what was going on in the world. He and his kind will be sorely missed, and we are all the poorer for his passing.
Thoughts are with you, Ani.
Jim 'Speedy' Mathews and Lisa Mathews
But really beneath that façade of a folksy guy was the heart of a genuinely talented reporter. He often was able to persuade knowledgeable officials to give out rich detail just by leading them to believe he didn't know much about the subject. And boy, did he know his subject.
JB was one of the last of a breed, when newsrooms were special places full of idiosyncratic, decidedly un-corporate people who cared about finding out what was going on in the world. He and his kind will be sorely missed, and we are all the poorer for his passing.
Thoughts are with you, Ani.
Jim 'Speedy' Mathews and Lisa Mathews
Message from Kirsten Fitrell
January 13, 2017 2:46 PM
Jim was a profound influence on me and my young son, Astin, when we joined the Aviation Daily family in 1988. His laughter and kindness shown brilliantly through in everything he did and said. He and my young son had a singularly warm relationship. They were buddies, pals, lovers of nap-time and snacks. Astin would sometimes crawl under Jim's desk and surprise him as he worked, as Jim would crawl under his desk and surprise Astin after lunch. They even shared a blanket for a time. One day, after Astin realized that Jim was resting his head on old Dailies under his desk during his Daily siesta, he became quite concerned. The next day, Astin gave up his favorite blanket to me to give to "Mr. Jim." And, when I left the newsletters some eight years later, Jim was still using the blanket.
It's just my own observation, but it seems to me that the only thing Jim loved more than Ani was coffee and bourbon, not necessarily in that order. I will miss his instance on free coffee in the newsroom and, no matter how many I'd ordered, bumping up the Bourbon delivery for the Christmas party. God rest and God bless. I hope everyone is comforted by the vision of Jim's naughty eye twinkle as they absorb the sad news of his passing.
All my love to his family, real and newsroom,
Kirsten
It's just my own observation, but it seems to me that the only thing Jim loved more than Ani was coffee and bourbon, not necessarily in that order. I will miss his instance on free coffee in the newsroom and, no matter how many I'd ordered, bumping up the Bourbon delivery for the Christmas party. God rest and God bless. I hope everyone is comforted by the vision of Jim's naughty eye twinkle as they absorb the sad news of his passing.
All my love to his family, real and newsroom,
Kirsten
Message from Lucine and Randy
January 12, 2017 5:21 PM
Our dear and sweet Ani, our heartfelt condolences to you for loosahoki Jimmy. May all the loving moments you both created over the years warm your heart always. It's the most beautiful love story that you really lived together, always together in good and very hard times. You were truly an angel always besides him and giving unconditionally. Your devotion and love is truly so touching. May God lighten your heavy heart as we say in Armanian: "Asdvadz tzavet tetevtzene" and as we say "loyserou mech mena". You are in our thoughts and prayers always and close to our heart. Our condolences to all the Baumgarner and Manjigian families.
Message from Virginia Edwards
January 8, 2017 4:38 PM
I was so sorry to hear about Jim, we had been friends since Jr. High. He always had that grin and was always a friend. I know he will be missed so much and my prayers and thoughts are for Ani. Know that many loved him and he is now free from pain and suffering. God rest his soul. Love your face Jim. Love your face Ani.
Message from "Hatcho"
January 7, 2017 12:02 PM
Our deepest sympathy on Jim's passing. Jim was a loving, kind and compassionate person.
God bless his soul and comfort Ani.
God bless his soul and comfort Ani.
Message from Paulette Jauregui Umscheid
January 6, 2017 11:08 AM
My family were neighbors with the Baumgarners. So sorry to hear of James passing. Have wonderful memories. Grandma Clara's fried chicken was the best , along with her cinnamon rolls.
You are all in my prayers.
You are all in my prayers.
Message from Sissy, Kobie & Aisha (Baumgarner) Kobayashi
January 5, 2017 5:23 PM
Our hearts are heavy and filled with sadness from the loss of such a beautiful person, but we need to remember that it in fact was not a loss...we instead gained an angel. We gained an eternal soul that surrounds us and watches us with each passing day. He was a man whose heart was filled with kindness, generosity, love, and strength. He fought hard because of the true love and happiness that surrounded him with you--Aunt Ani. We thank you for loving him as much as he loved you; with all of his being. You were his voice when he could not speak, his biggest protector and advocate. We cannot imagine how wounded you must be--for because of you he did not fight his battle alone; you were his one constant physically there every step of the way. Though nothing can heal the void of him not being here in this physical world, he will never be gone. He was an eloquent man with his words and like everything he has written; he will live on and will forever be imprinted in our hearts and memories.
He had stated he "lived his life well" but I believe he was being modest, the humble man that he was. Because in reality, words will not do justice in explaining what an exceptional job he did of living--you can see it by all the lives he has touched and the sadness we all feel. He made the world a better place, not just by his acts of benevolence, but by simply being in it--we are all a better person by having known such an amazing man, so proud to call him my Uncle.
While we here on Earth are mourning, my Daddy, Granny, and aunts are rejoicing and welcoming him into their arms--till we all are together again...
All our loe...
He had stated he "lived his life well" but I believe he was being modest, the humble man that he was. Because in reality, words will not do justice in explaining what an exceptional job he did of living--you can see it by all the lives he has touched and the sadness we all feel. He made the world a better place, not just by his acts of benevolence, but by simply being in it--we are all a better person by having known such an amazing man, so proud to call him my Uncle.
While we here on Earth are mourning, my Daddy, Granny, and aunts are rejoicing and welcoming him into their arms--till we all are together again...
All our loe...
Message from Varant and Alice
January 5, 2017 12:14 AM
Our heartfelt condolences to you our dear Ani. Togh Jimin anoush hishadaguh mishd var mna srdit yev mdkit mech. Asdvadz hokeen lousavoreh kezi al hamperoutyoun da. We love you.
Message from Cecil Ray Waller
January 4, 2017 6:15 PM
He was a longtime friend that will remain in my thoughts forever. And my thoughts are of you too, Ani.
Message from Ron Rayl
January 4, 2017 3:22 PM
Ani, we all were blessed in knowing Jim. He was like a brother to me. My family sends our prayers
Message from Kimi Baumgarner King
January 4, 2017 2:05 AM
Aunt Ani,
No word's may heal the pain that you carry in your heart. My heart is reaching out to you for what you are going through. When we loose such a special person in our life, time seems to stop. No word's really help ease the loss you bare, just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Uncle Jim was much loved. Rest in peace Uncle Jim. Our great loss is Heavens great gain. Granny, my dad and your sisters must be overwhelmed with joy in your presence. A Hui Hou ( till we meet again) Aloha.
No word's may heal the pain that you carry in your heart. My heart is reaching out to you for what you are going through. When we loose such a special person in our life, time seems to stop. No word's really help ease the loss you bare, just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Uncle Jim was much loved. Rest in peace Uncle Jim. Our great loss is Heavens great gain. Granny, my dad and your sisters must be overwhelmed with joy in your presence. A Hui Hou ( till we meet again) Aloha.
Message from Doris (Strawn) Fumai
January 3, 2017 12:10 PM
My Dad thought the world of Jim.
May he rest in peace along with my Father "Moe".
May he rest in peace along with my Father "Moe".
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