James Jere "Jim" Williamson

James Jere "Jim" Williamson July 4, 1941- May 25, 2005 Jim Williamson died May 25th of complications arising from stomach cancer treatment at Los Alamitos Medical Center. He was 63. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of a businessman and an artist mother. He was 11 when the family moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, the place he would always consider home. He graduated in 1959 from Hutchinson High School where fellow students nicknamed him "Full Dip," for his unparalleled energy. An avid photographer in high school, Williamson pursued journalism and architecture studies at the University of Kansas in La wrence, where he also became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He experimented with trades, from draftsman to ad and typewriter salesman while fathering three daughters with his first wife. Williamson married Gloria Wheeler, his second wife, in 1973. She was his bartender. Her four young children immediately expanded their brood to seven, a responsibility he shouldered tirelessly. "I don't know how he did it," Gloria Williamson recalled. Amid the computer boom of the early 1980s, Williamson prospered with hi s own word processing equipment firm. He traveled enthusiastically, religiously recording every journey and family gathering on video when not piloting his motorhome. He was obsessive, quickly bored and often, surprisingly tender. A relentless nostalgia moved him to save everything, from 1970s-era soup cans to license plates. He would swerve across three lanes of traffic upon sighting a favorite snack spot, particularly soft serve ice cream. He never missed an opportunity to indulge in naps, Looney Toon rer uns or the latest electronic gadget. In 1994, family ties in California led Williamson to live fulltime in Long Beach. He thrived in a second career as a roving insurance adjuster, specializing in disaster claims. After a stint working hurricane-related damage in South Florida last fall, Williamson had looked forward to semi-retirement in Lake Elsinore, where he had lived since 2003. In addition to his wife, Williamson is survived by brother John Holly Williamson, of Los Angeles and sister Marjorie Coombs o f Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also survived by son Rob, and daughters Tabitha, Kim, Holly, Jere Ann, Ginger and Michelle. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and Stephanie Williamson, his first wife. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Railway Historical Society, 100 N. 17th St., Suite 1203, Philadelphia PA 19103. A viewing will take place Tuesday, May 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach. Services and interment follow at 11: 30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1st.