James Alexander Macbeth

James Alexander Macbeth, 82, passed away quietly in his sleep on July 21, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Monika Macbeth; his children, Alicia Jacobs (Hal Jacobs), Alexander Macbeth and Amy Macbeth (Greg Harbeson); as well as his grandchildren, Daniel (Vi), Haden, Henry and Alice; and his first wife, Ruth Young. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy Pugsley and James Eckland Macbeth, and his sister, Marty Campbell.
Jim was born on Oct. 25, 1933, in San Francisco, his family later moving to Albany, Georgia, during his teenage years.
He served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in fisheries management. He combined his interests in natural history and museums by pursuing a successful career as a curator and director at several institutions, including the Smithsonian, the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Lightner Museum beginning in 1987.
After his retirement in 1998, Jim developed an expertise in the emerging field of digital art to create images grounded in his passion for nature, design, language and esoterica, often with a side order of whimsy. He called himself a digital beachcomber. Others called him the Matchbox Man for his handcrafted matchboxes that he displayed along with his artwork in St. Augustine galleries.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at St. John's Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to Junior ROWITA Scholarships (St. Johns Cultural Council) in support of young female artists, Friends of the GTM Research Reserve, or the tuition assistance program of the Dance Company in Saint Augustine.
St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.