James Melvin Sellers

It is with respect and admiration that I remember Jim. We met during his time at the VA in Livermore. My volunteer work with residence painters took on additional meaning when I was introduced to Jim. We quickly grew accustomed to each other, and Jim was able to convey to me his well thought out plans for accommodations to enable him to paint.

We quickly added a second 3-4 hr session per week. Jim was driven to put paint to canvas! The results were never less than astonishing. I´m so honored and proud to have contributed to his artistic journey.
Much more could be said regarding his kindness toward me, and respect. I´ll always think of him when I recall my years in California.
My sincere condolences to all of Jim´s family and friends. He spoke of you often.

Jim and I were in Viet Nam together - serving in the CAP units, his unit was adjacent to mine. We had planned, along with Les Rankin and Jim Delong to meet in SF and have a drink in the Mark Hopkins. So, today, Ill have that drink to commemorate an event we were never able to execute. Til Vahalla Doc

I was honored to be his hospice social worker many many years ago..He was a fascinating man. I'm so happy that he lived a long and sounds like very satisfying life and discovered art and creativity as an outlet! Thanks Jim's daughters for sending this out...I'll never forget him. Special hello to Lindsey!! Rest in peace Jim...wow, you earned it!!

I was one of Jim´s nurses in Modesto (for a couple years). I visited him almost every week and, needless to say, he was an amazing man! Reading his obituary was almost as interesting as our visits. I always spent way too much time there so we would get down to business with vital signs and our questionnaire (basic annoying nurse questions regarding things people don´t like to talk about) so we could just chat. He rarely needed anything but was reluctant to confess any difficulties so it took some trust building and "prying." Come to find out, we had a lot in common (so we had a lot to talk about)! What a nice man he was! All of his nurses quickly discovered that he was quite INDEPENDENT and CREATIVE. Everyone sharing in his care was fond of him! Words like character and amazing (sometimes "stubborn") were often used during nurse-to-nurse report. I have missed him since we discharged him to a higher level of care. I will always have a place in my heart, and fond memories, for Jim. Peace be with his family.

Thank you to Jim´s family for writing, and sharing this beautiful story of his life. Jim certainly "lived" his life until he was not able. I enjoyed keeping connected with him on Facebook! Our condolences to his family. My husband, Roger, and I were classmates of Jim´s at CSHS, 1965. Rest in Peace my friendMarlene Merlo

RIP, Jim. Fellow 1965 CHS classmate and a humble, talented guy. Sad to know you´re gone, but now you´re untethered. Sending condolences to your family.