Jimmy Don Nicodemus, age 75, passed away in Denton, Texas, October 19, 2024, after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.
Jim was born at Perrin AFB, Texas, to Donald Lee and Billie Jean Nicodemus on March 6, 1949. His birthday was his favorite day, not because it was the day of his birth, but because it was the day the Alamo fell.
He was a son of Texas who loved the freedom of Alaska. Jim was a student of history and a voracious reader, and you would be hard-pressed to find a scholar more knowledgeable about American history.
Jim also was a man of science, who studied marine biology at Stanford University. Alaska was the perfect place for him to apply his science and sense of adventure, working as a commercial fisherman and land surveyor and even trying his entrepreneurial skills by breeding oysters with his brother, Terry, and friend, Tim.
Jim was a gregarious yet private person who never met a stranger. He loved to take walkabouts, explore, and meet people. He would say, “Nothing like taking a new horse through open country.” He was never a man who would brag about himself or his accomplishments, but boy, could he tell a tall story or capture his audience with a funny expression.
Jim was proud of his military service in the Navy, serving his country from 1967 to 1975. He received Naval aviation technical training in Memphis, Tennessee, and served in the famous VAP-61 Squadron. He received the combat ribbon, for flight missions over North Vietnam and Laos.
Family held a very special place in Jim’s heart, and no one was more special than his granddaughters, Nia, Faith, and Gemma. But the time he spent with Oli, his grandson, had to top the cake, once saying,” Oli gives me a purpose in life!”
Jim is survived by his children, Dara Reeves (Laurence Reeves), Joseph Nicodemus, and Matthew Nicodemus (Jill Nicodemus); brothers Luke and Terry and his sister Barbara; grandchildren Gemma, Faith, Nia, and Oliver; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
His ashes will be laid to rest at a military service in Sitka – the town that always held his heart – at Sitka National Cemetery 2 p.m. Friday, July 18. 2025. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s request would be to “root for the Yankees and always tip your bartender.”
