James E. "Jim" Varnum
1942 - 2016
James E. "Jim" Varnum
1942 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1942
DIED
2016
James Varnum Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sandra Skrei Mock
January 12, 2018
Stephanie,
I just now learned of Jim's passing, and am so sorry to learn of your loss! I can only hope that he and Randy are having some interesting discussions on all things nature! Please know you and your family have my sympathies, belated as they are.
April 26, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this difficult time. Please find peace in knowing that God understands your grief and that he cares. (1 Peter 5:6,7)
Rick Joosten
May 12, 2016
Jim was a gentle and patient teacher who generously shared his deep knowledge, while at the same time modeling a passion for local nature that inspired others. I learned a lot from him and admired him. Even though I really didn't know Jim that deeply, his passing leaves a real and painful void, which I think speaks to how significant an impact his contributions were making in the lives of so many people, including mine. I'll miss him.
Karen Helms
May 11, 2016
Jim was great at teaching us what the plants were on hikes and was always there to answer questions and offer assistance. I will really miss him. I pray that God will bless you with peace and surround you with love.
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Melanie Schuchart
May 10, 2016
I met Jim though iNaturalist so I thought it fitting to post a journal entry there for others that he followed to view. You can also see all the postings Jim provided and identified on this site as well as comments from others. We will all miss Jim and his passion for nature. I only hope that he shared some of his secret places with others in the community so his work will continue on.
http://www.inaturalist.org/journal/butterflies4fun
May 9, 2016
This has been a long acquantainance. We lived close and went to the St. Paul Lutheran Church together for many years. Our children grew up together. His best gift was to support Stephanie for all the things she has done. Stephanie also supported him. This little lutheran church has been a gift to many and this church needed this couple. I was also impressed by his teaching mathmatics at a community college. Thankyou from Wayne and Charlotte Weirich.
Eva Castilla
May 9, 2016
I only met Jim once, but never forgot him. Very special man; beautiful energy ♥
Kimberlie Sasan
May 6, 2016
As someone still relatively new to ID'ing plants, I was surprised by Jim's casual and humorous way of teaching a newcomer. Despite his busy schedule, he made time to meet me and 2 others on a personal walk. I was happy to see him at the Tandy Hills Bioblitz just 2 days before his passing. Those two times were enough to impress upon me his warm and generous spirit. His loss is felt by even the newest of his students.
Trout Lily at Dgwood Canyon
Mary Brown
May 5, 2016
I always think of Jim when the trout lilies begin to bloom in the spring and when we find gilgaes on the prairie. The Master Naturalist community has lost a great teacher.
Darell Bagley
May 5, 2016
Jim was always very generous and helpful when we needed advice on Blackland Prairie restoration. He left great legacy for all of us. I am grateful to have known him.
Whitney Wolf
May 5, 2016
Jim was a mensch who gave generously of his time and energy to so many across the naturalist community. He seemed happiest when he was out in nature, sharing what he knew with others who were soaking up his knowledge like so many sponges. I will miss working with him in the North Texas Master Naturalist chapter and learning from him. Definitely a good man gone to soon.
Susan Thrower
May 5, 2016
Jim was the "go to" person when I could not identify a flower or tree; he also was the one to seek out for nature walks. His spirit, humor, and enthusiasm were memorable. I'll miss him. Sympathy and wishes for good memories are sent to Stephanie and their family.
Richard Barnes
May 5, 2016
My wife and I met Jim last year at an iNaturalist event and his passion for botany was obvious. Since then we spoke several times about our local nature preserve and his enthusiasm was infectious !
Thanks for inspiring us, Jim !
Jennifer Kolmes
May 5, 2016
I miss Jim's companionship and sense of humor most of all. And, he was always happy to see me! Not too many I can say the same of. :-)
Tony Manasseri
May 5, 2016
Jim gave ALL to ALL of nature. If you can read this Jim, I love you man.
Carrie Dubberley
May 5, 2016
Jim was great guy and someone you could count on for in-depth field research. His love and passionate enthusiasm for the natural world will be missed.
Carrie Dubberley
May 5, 2016
Jim was great guy and someone you could count on for in-depth field research. His love and passionate enthusiasm for the natural world will be missed.
John Lingenfelder
May 4, 2016
Jim Varnum, a genuine Master Naturalist, will be missed by the many, who knew him well and by those, like me, who had only a passing acquaintance. Regardless, he was the person with the knowledge of so much of the flora & fauna of North Texas. I will continue the effort Jim espoused, to learn the one thing well, so it would remain a part of you forever. Thank You, Jim.
May 4, 2016
I was only privileged to walk with Jim Varnum a handful of times but his was such a gentle, helpful, knowledgeable spirit. Our chapter and all of us will miss him. Rest in peace. Karen Wiley NTMN 15
David Rogers
May 4, 2016
Jim has been helping me with plant identifications for years. Somehow he always managed to respond to my requests with clear, concise and cheerful answers. Jim was always a giver of himself in this way. He gave his time, his knowledge and his passion for nature to anyone who asked. He was the epitome of a Master Naturalist and cannot be replaced or forgotten.
Connie Koval
May 4, 2016
I first met Jim during the 2012 Class of future North Texas Master Naturalists. He has been a guiding light in identifying plants in North Texas. It was a rare event if he could not identify a specimen, but would always go to the extra effort and research & advise. A tireless volunteer educator of nature and an inspiration. I will miss Jim.
May 4, 2016
Jim and I began birding together about 30 years ago. He was a good friend and I will miss him. Keith Lockhart, Highland Village, TX
Ernie Stokely
May 4, 2016
Like so many others, Jim introduced me to the North Texas naturalist community. He took me under his wing when I moved back here 5 years ago, and introduced me to the naturalist community. His contributions to North Texas naturalists are irreplaceable.
JoAnn Collins
May 3, 2016
I have heard Jim's name spoken in awe since I became a MN in 2008. I finally got to meet him this last year, but didn't get enough time with him to know him well. I saw him at BioBlitz on Saturday and caught up, so hard to believe he left so soon after. I hope you can find healing in nature, where Jim loved to be.
Hexalectris warnockii in memory of Jim
Deborah Nelson
May 3, 2016
Jim will be missed. He introduced me to the beauty of the tiny wild orchids Hexalectris warnockii and Corallorhiza wisteriana. For that and so much much more I will be eternally grateful.
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1511 South Interstate 35e, Carrollton, TX 75006
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