James C Dart

1954 - 2024

On the night of Feb. 18, 2024, James C. "Jim" Dart left this world in a blaze of glory.
Anyone who knew Jim Dart knew he was a larger than life character, with a great heart, an infectious laugh and an irreverent sense of humor. He joined his family in Fairbanks on Aug. 31, 1954. In 1957 the family moved to Manley Hot Springs where the population at the time was 15 people.
His school days started in Manley Hot Springs when his mother reestablished the school in a one-room cabin.
They had Coleman lanterns for light, Blazo boxes with cushions for chairs complete with storage underneath, an outhouse, and hot water heat. The family moved back to Fairbanks in 1963 when Jim was in fourth grade. In 1968 the brothers moved back to Manley Hot Springs where Jim as in correspondence school for eighth and ninth grade. He attended Pacific High School in California and graduated in 1971. His childhood education also encompassed learning to navigate the land and utilizing its resources through trapping, woodcutting (he loved felling trees), fishing and mining.
As a young adult he worked on the Big Denver fire at Tofty. He trapped with his cousin and worked in various mines in the Tofty and Eureka area. When the Alaska pipeline project began, he went to work through Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 as a service oiler. During pipeline days Jim was known as Wildman, and with his running mate Slim, they had many exciting exploits patrolling the aurora-filled nights on the rugged Hickel highway.
Jim and brother John staked mining claims at Boulder Creek in 1981 and then began gold mining in 1983. Later the mine was leased out. Jim's interest in the woods and logging led him to connect with the Reed relatives, his mother's family, in Minnesota. He spent the summer working with his cousins, logging in the Kettle River/Automba area.
Jim traveled to Australia to pursue his interest in gold mining Down Under. There he met and married Diane Cassim and became a stepfather of Amy. He worked in the mining industry, running heavy equipment and while there earned his blasting license. He returned to Alaska and took a job with DOT in Fairbanks. He did various jobs including snow plowing and working on the paint crew.
Jim was active in AA and recently received his 30-year medallion. He acted as a sponsor, mentor and friend to many over the years. He ceaselessly showed up for and supported people, even when doing so impacted his own health. He cared deeply about the state of the world and his fellow human beings and did not shy away from hard, emotional work. He was resilient, resourceful, creative with language, prone to random acts of kindness, and made connections wherever he went.
The highlight of his life was the birth and raising of his daughter, Ilona, (Finnish for her Grandmother Gladys). He was excitedly looking forward to meeting his first grandchild, who is due in April.
He is survived by his daughter, Ilona Dart (Jimmy); stepdaughter, Amy Cassim, in Australia (mother Diane); his, brother John Dart (Liza) and niece Cori (Mary); cousin, John Dart (Chris and daughters, Matalyn and Nathalie). In Minnesota, Dale Reed (Bernadine), Danny Reed, Denise Reed and many other Reed relatives.
His spirit continues his journey as he left this land to roam free.
People may pay their respects to the family at a tea from 4-8 p.m. March 20 at 1288 Heldiver St., Fairbanks, AK.
There will be a celebration of life, burial and picnic on May 25 in Manley Hot Springs.