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James Day Obituary
Jim began his early education in Burlington, Washington, and in the fourth grade the family moved to Mt. Vernon, Washington, where he graduated from high school in1958. His dedication to his studies and sports earned him a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in journalism and played basketball.
After college, Jim moved to New York City; he wrote speeches and prepared annual reports for financial institutions on Wall Street. In 1968, he relocated to Houston, Texas, to work in Public Relations and later became a Senior Vice President of First City Bancorporation of Texas. Jim concluded his banking career in Washington, D.C., serving in an executive capacity at Riggs Bank until his retirement in 1995.
Jim's retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter of service and exploration. He joined the Peace Corps and served in Bulgaria from 1996 to 1999. There, his passion for birding and conservation led him to help establish a protected habitat for migrating storks, ensuring their preservation. His love for the Bulgarian language and culture endeared him to many as he later split his time between Bulgaria and Green Valley, Arizona, from 2009 until settling permanently in Arizona in 2021.
Jim's friends and family will always cherish memories of his daily NYT crossword puzzles, his linguistic prowess in Scrabble, and his captivating stories from birding trips around the globe, be it camping in the wilderness or staying in luxurious places, he was perfectly comfortable in both. Jim's legacy of kindness, intellect, and love for nature will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Joe R. and Helen Day, his brother John D. Day, and his sister JoEllen Keating. He is survived by his sister Janet Minegishi of Tokyo, Japan, his brother Donald Day of Mt. Vernon, Washington, his sister-in-law Maria Day of Burlington, Washington, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Sandy Ostroff for his needed neighborly support, and to Gentiva Hospice of Green Valley for their exceptional assistance and care . In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's name can be made to the Hospice Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Day
3 Entries
Brian Hartig
July 15, 2025
At various points during my time teaching with Peace Corps Bulgaria, when I had a long weekend, or some time away from a summer project, I'd often travel from my site in Trojan, over the "Mila Rhodeno," and down to the southern Balkan plains where Plovdiv sat - to visit Jim Day. He was always happy to have guests and treated us liberally and generously, not just with his apartment but with his time and attention. I NEVER won a game of Scrabble against him. I don't think anyone ever did. He was famous amongst Peace Corps Volunteers for his oatmeal and his uncanny ability to find rare birds that no one could see (or knew existsed). Once, he invited me to make the trek over the Balkans and travel with him - somewhere in southeast Bulgaria - to see a rare site in the country - pink flamingos. He told me that they were rarely seen in Bulgaria. We piled into a vehicle, drove to a deserted field, and he pulled his binoculars out. After spotting them, he excited handed them to me and was euphoric to share with me what he had just seen. There they were in all their glory, the barely pink flamingos that had only recently, against all odds. invaded Bulgaria. I was surprised how excited I was to see something I never knew I wanted to see. The trip did not fail. That was Jim Day. At the Black Sea, on another trip with Jim, he noticed a koo-koo miavka (a rare type of owl, I think) nesting atop the roof of his summer apartment there. I didn't know what I was seeing, but we were simply excited with his cheery exhuberance at seeing this rare bird. Not only did we get to see the feathered friend, but any passing Bulgarian he ushered behind the telescope and explained in Bulgarian what the curious observer was seeing. That was Jim Day. Jim contacted me a few years back and told me of his diagnosis. He invited me to come out and visit, but with two kids and an East Coast life, I did not accept the invitation. We continued emailing back and forth, but after a longer than usual gap in communications at one point, I searched his name on the internet, only to find this obituary. I know now that I should have made that last journey to see Jim as I understood the type of cancer he had. I regret not doing so. People come into our lives for a reason, sometimes at the right time to help or guide you. I like to think that Jim was there for me for a particular reason. I don't pretend to guess what it was, and I know I will never know why, but, knowing Jim, it could have been for a million reasons. Tonite, though, in deference to - and inhonor of - my friend, Jim, I will lift a toast to the stars, and I will listen closely for the sound of a strange bird singing or clucking or tweetiong - and I will wonder if it is him, saying goodbye and good luck and see you on the other side...
Dr. Gary and Roberta Morris
March 5, 2025
We met Jim on a vacation to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where he was our "birding buddy" for a day. We found him again in Green Valley, Arizona, and spent another wonderful day birdwatching with him. He was an expert birder as well as a wonderful person, and we are so sad to learn of his passing.
Ken Flies
June 16, 2024
Thanks to Jim for his service to the Peace Corps
Ken Fliés
President
Peace Corps Legacy Assn
C:952-334-4092
[email protected]
www.peacecorpslegacy.org
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