Jim D. Rearden

1925 - 2017

Greatly loved and surrounded by family, Jim Rearden died unexpectedly Feb. 18, 2017, at the South Peninsula Hospital in Homer. The family has planned a private graveside service for today, Feb. 23, with a memorial tribute planned for a later date.
Jim was born in Petaluma, California, the second son of Barton and Grace Rearden. After finishing high school at 17, and with his father's permission, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1943, and served on board the USS Lovering as a sonar man in the Central Pacific. After an honorable discharge at the end of the war, he enrolled in Oregon State College at Corvallis, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in fish and game management in 1948.
He was accepted by the University of Maine, where he earned a Master of Science degree in 1950. He was then hired by the University of Alaska Fairbanks to organize a new wildlife department. He taught as head of that department for four years. He resigned his university position in 1955 and became a full time freelance writer, photographer and big game guide.
In 1959, he was hired as the area biologist for the newly formed Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Cook Inlet, a position he held for nearly 10 years.
In 1970, he became the outdoors editor for Alaska Magazine, a position he held for nearly 20 years. Simultaneously, he was field editor for Outdoor Life magazine. He wrote approximately 500 magazine features for 40 magazines around the world, including National Geographic, Audubon, the German and French GEO, National Wildlife and International Wildlife.
In 1970, he was appointed to the Alaska Board of Fish and Game where he served for five years. In 1975, he was appointed to the Alaska Board of Game and served seven years. In the 1970s, President Gerald Ford appointed him to the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, where he served 18 months. Jim has written 28 books on Alaska subjects.
He was named Historian of the Year in 1999 by the Alaska Historical Society for his book, "Alaska's Wolf Man." In 2005, UAF awarded Jim an honorary degree for his teaching, wildlife conservation work and writing.
In 2011, the Alaska Humanities Forum honored Jim with the Governor's Award for distinguished service to the humanities. In 2016, the Homer Council on the Arts named Jim the Artist of the Year for outstanding professional accomplishments and service to the community.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a sister, grandson and former wife, Ursula Rodgers.
He is survived by five children, Kathy Rearden, Mary (Bruce) Bookman, Mike (Nita) Rearden, Nancy (Ken) Kleine, and Jim K. Rearden, three stepchildren, Terry Sagmoen (Loulare), Mike Sagmoen, Tamara (Charles) Halkett; his wife of 51 years, Audrey; 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many close, dear friends.
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