Dr. James Thomas Northrop of Pahrump, passed away March 20th, 2020 at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. He was preceded in death by his wife Marcia; is survived by his fiance Linda Bardol; daughter Dana Utter, son-in law Jim Utter, and grands Taylor and Olivia Schoenfield of Lake Stevens, WA; daughter Jessica Colgate, son-in-law Glen Colgate, and grands Sydney and Taylor Colgate of Henderson, NV; and beloved family from Michigan, Nevada, Indiana, Florida, Arizona, and Washington. Jim was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., the son of Joseph Northrop and Vera Marsh, who both preceded him in death. Jim graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1964. After graduating high school, he married Marcia Perry. He attended Western Michigan University and graduated with a BS in behavioral psychology and MS in experimental psychology. In 1971, the young family moved to Logan, Utah where Jim attended Utah State University and graduated with a PhD in experimental psychology. In In 1976, Jim and Marcia moved to Las Vegas and Jim began an internship at Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health. Jim worked as an intern, director of the adolescent psychiatric hospital, acting director and director of mental health, and psychologist in the crisis and hospital programs at Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health. In 2004, Jim and Marcia moved to Pahrump, Nevada. Jim worked as a psychologist at Pahrump Mental Health before retiring from the state in June of 2011. Jim was an instructor and proponent of the Teaching Family Model which was supported by Boy's Town, taught COPE (court-required parenting courses that are intended to help separating parents support their children during divorce) for 17 years, and taught various psychology courses at the Community College of Southern Nevada/College of Southern Nevada from 1978 until 2020. His passion for psychology was clear when he was presenting in classes and conferences. His unique interests in antiques and art were displayed all over his home, and his creative collection of converse high tops, belt buckles and collection of classic vehicles were one of a kind. His love for poetry was evident when he read poetry to others and with the countless poems he wrote for family and friends for birthdays, celebrations of life, funerals, graduations, holidays, retirements, and weddings. Jim was most active in loving and leaving legacies for family and friends. The family extends it's heartfelt thanks to the amazing doctors and staff of Sunrise Hospital and Sienna Rehab Facility for touching our lives as they cared for him in their facilities, and staff of the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas who provided so much comfort and support to Jim; and to our family, friends, and neighbors for their love and support. Thank you all. In keeping with Jim's wishes, in lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to American Heart Association, American Psychological Association, COPD Foundation, or Mental Health of America. Thank you, Jim, for all you did for so many. We will always love you. You will always be in our hearts. Services are pending.
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Thank you for all of your work in the mental field, you were amazing and helped so many.
Love Barb
Barbara Perry
Family
June 28, 2020
Jim was a supportive friend and supervisor nearly forty years ago. I have always remembered him with thankfulness. God bless his family.
Henry Flatt
Coworker
June 26, 2020
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
American Heart Association
June 26, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You will be missed.
Diane Haworth
Friend
June 23, 2020
Jim was kind, compassionate, super unique and very, very funny. I still expect to see a quick witted post from him on FB. Thank you for a beautifully written life story/obituary. He will be missed by many.
Nancy Vinluan
Friend
June 22, 2020
Jim was good friend through grade school, Cub Scouts, Junior High and High School. He was always funny and a little unpredictable. When we reconnected at our 50th high school reunion, it was if we never lost contact. Truly a unique guy.
John Lacko
Friend
June 22, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Susan Haut
Coworker
June 21, 2020
I don't know if the words are going to flow as well as Jim's but I'll try
I went to school with Jess and her family was a very big part of mine it seemed at the time ....(time moves different now that I'm older) moving forward I love that he could make you feel good no matter how bad you felt . And the love he had for his wife and daughter ❤ truly a remarkable family and that comes from a remarkable man
Becky Stern
Friend
June 20, 2020
Jim will be greatly missed by CSN, his students, and especially me. He was an amazing educator, a dear friend, and a wonderful colleague.
Ann Bullis
Coworker
June 20, 2020
It was so great to meet Jim when he came to Kalamazoo a few years ago for a Loy Norrix reuion. We had been friends on FB and I also had taught psychology at Norrix. What a great man...so loving and kind. I am sadden and will miss his posts. Peace and love to his family.
Sharon Caron
Friend
June 20, 2020
I met Jessica through volleyball. I did not know Jim well. I do know that he raised an amazing daughter. I had just had my son and was very nervous about leaving him with anyone so that my husband and I could go out. Jessica talked me into let her parents watch him. They were wonderful. They let me call and check up way to many times, took pictures, and wrote down everything my son did, LOL, in the whole 4 hours I was gone. They went out of their way for the happiness of others. Rest in Peace, you are loved and will be missed.
Bonnie Willms
Friend
June 20, 2020
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