James Villas

Looks, intelligence, charm and wit! Jimmy had it all when I knew him in Chapel Hill in the first half of the 1960's. He was the "golden boy" to which all undergraduate guys who knew him yearned to become. Ironically, I had just finished "Dancing in the Low Country" when I heard of his death. Gifted observer of the human condition and a nice person with a barbed sense of humor. Unforgettable Jimmy!

I knew him in grenoble in 1960 such a charmer!!!!!

Farewell to my first cousin once removed. His legacy lives on in his books tracing those Southern roots, that Greek and Swedish heritage, his passions for food and life. My mother Betsy has many fond memories of growing up with Jimmy in a now-distant, small-town Charlotte of the 1940's. May Jimmy rest in peace.

He will be much missed for his refined and informed obstinacy, his wit, his honesty, all of which will live on in his copious written insights on food and, in the bigger picture, the human condition. Here's to the example he set as regards the greater celebration of the appetite: for food, for music, for friends and family. His was a hedonism to aspire to.

I am so sorry to hear of Jimmys recent death. As with many people, I have followed his career all these years and was privileged to have known him from his early Charlotte years.
Jimmy was a force of nature. I remember him mostly for his passions for dance, French, football and travel (not necessarily in that order).
He and I taught ballroom dancing in high school and performed locally. On a trip to New York for lessons, he was the one to introduce the group to the Big Apple,...

I knew Jim Villas in the 1960's in Chapel Hill when he was pursuing his Ph.D. He was a handsome and extremely witty fellow who was bigger than life. He adored all things French and beagles - his first was Phyllis. In his rich career, he indulged travel to and from Europe on the QE II in grand style. We shall miss his humor and joy for life.