Jim Robinson, passed away on July 17, 2024.  The following is a 2024 Facebook post that his daughter, Lula Mae, shared with family and friends in remembering her father’s zest for life, adventure and most of all, family.

“Señor Fortunado has completed his journey”

My dad, Jimmy, James Robinson passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of July 17, 2024 thus bringing to a close his struggle with Alzheimer’s. Thankfully, his decline was fairly rapid in the world of those dealing with dementia. It was just two years ago that he had to stop driving and only one year ago when he began to need full-time care. Jimmy was a rebel, a surfer and a fisherman who was born in Sacramento, California on Christmas Day in 1941. 

He believed if you were bored in life, it was not because of a lack of things to do, but rather it was because you lacked the imagination to create something to do and you were the one that was boring. His love of water and travel was fostered during his time as a young merchant sailor. It was then he fell in love with places like the Philippines and Hawaii. It was no surprise that he later found himself bartending and surfing in Hawaii. It was there that he met and married Susan. They welcomed a son, Jesse, shortly after. Later, when Jimmy and Susan parted ways, he returned to the mainland. After living in Hawaii for several years, he was suffering from a common malady, Island Fever.  

He was able to buy property near the Mendocino / Humboldt County line. It was in Garberville that he met another love, Dana and her little daughter, Carmen. They married, settled in and began to build a house on the property.  Soon, they were blessed to be joined by three children Lula Mae, Sicily and Thunder Hawk.  

They were living off the land and helping to build a community.  This became Jim’s life focus during these years.  He helped fund and construct Whale Gulch school and a community center near his home. He taught gun safety and bicycle repair classes. He bought a small boat, made weekly fishing trips to Shelter Cove and yearly trips to Baja. After Dana and Jim broke up, they created a friendship that allowed the entire family to gather with the kids for holidays. He was ecstatic to become a grandpa but sadly with his decline, he only recognized the first three grandchildren. After a while, he began to call his other grandchildren by his children’s names. 

In the years following Dana‘s death in 2017, Jimmy’s cognitive decline became more apparent. He moved to town with help from his kids but unfortunately, found it difficult to find a place where he felt comfortable. This time was very hard on the family. Every possible move was made in the attempt to create a safe space as his condition progressed. Jimmy was finally placed in a care home almost exactly a year ago. This gave the family great relief in knowing he was finally getting the round the clock care and safety precautions he required. The family is grateful for his peaceful passing and planning to have a small honoring ceremony in the fall.

Words from a friend, Ted Mason:
Personally, Jim and I became good friends at Joaquin Miller Junior High.  Our friendship continued at McClatchy sharing our involvement in 36 Club and a mutual love of all things automotive.  He was a talented mechanic and was very helpful in building a hot rod with me during high school. As I recall, he was also quite the ladies man (a Fonzie like, cool guy).  I’m happy to have known him.  Rest in peace El Fortunado!

Footnote:  Jim’s first cousin,  Lynne Petois (March), also a classmate passed on May 6, 2025