Juan del Rio - 4-25-2008 at 08:03 AM
Jim Dandy passed away in peace at his home in La Purisima, B.C.S. yesterday morning at 10:30 am.
He will be buried this morning in La Purisima as well.
For those of us who knew Jim, he was one heck of a great man and friend to all. Any photos that any of you may have of him, please try to post.
An original "Baja Nomad", he came to Baja Sur for the beauty and adventure...discovered it all and never left.
We'll all miss you Jim.
Sad News
David K - 4-25-2008 at 08:34 AM
The photos (below) were taken by Neal Johns, when he and friends John and Alan visited Jim Dandy in La Purisima... in September, 2002.
http://vivabaja.com/neal
Jim was featured in Graham Mackintosh's second book, as Jim gave a home to Graham's burro 'Mision' at the end of that 1997 adventure.
[Edited on 4-25-2008 by David K]
Paulina - 4-25-2008 at 10:54 AM
Gods speed Jim Dandy.
Paulina, Dern y Cody
Adios Amigo
Juan del Rio - 4-25-2008 at 03:19 PM
We buried Jim Dandy this afternoon in La Purisima. A simple ceremony for one great human. In a small village, friends and family take care of
everything, including his last journey in a pick-up.
Juan del Rio - 4-25-2008 at 03:20 PM
It took all morning to dig the grave, then he was lowered into his final resting place
Juan del Rio - 4-25-2008 at 03:21 PM
All the men took turns filling in the grave till the task was finished
Juan del Rio - 4-25-2008 at 03:24 PM
Rest In Peace mi Amigo.
Jim Dandy, April 30, 1940 - April 24, 2008
He lived the - (dash) in his life for sure!
woody with a view - 4-25-2008 at 05:52 PM
never knew the man but he is resting in a very special area of the peninsula....passed thru there a month ago....
RIP
JD
DENNIS - 4-25-2008 at 06:16 PM
As long as I've been here, there are so many landmarks I've missed. Jim Dandy is one and I'm sorry for that.
DEP, Sr. Jim
fdt - 4-25-2008 at 06:40 PM
Descanse en paz and thanks Juan del Rio for youre tribute and images.
Graham - 4-26-2008 at 12:50 AM
Sad news indeed.
Thank you Jim Dandy for extending your hospitality to me back in 1998. I'll treasure the memories of the days I spent with you.
I wrote in my diary at the time: "Jim is such a humble, thoughtful, hospitable man. A smile and a wave for everyone, a super listener -- one of the
best men I've ever met."
A true Baja gentleman. Thank you amigo for offering your Purisima orchard home to a very tired old burro after his 1000 mile walk from Tecate.
I owe you tears of gratitude. Rest in peace after your long journey.
bacquito - 4-26-2008 at 06:11 AM
I wish I had met him.
bajajudy - 4-26-2008 at 06:55 AM
Very nice tribute Juan!
Thanks for making us a part of this memorial
I also had never met him although we looked for him on our trip into that area.
RIP
David K - 4-26-2008 at 08:51 AM
Thanks Juan del Rio...
Juan del Rio - 4-26-2008 at 09:45 AM
Jim Dandy showing some "love" last year at the water slide above Purisima.
For those Baja Nomads who never met the man; he was the type of person who would fix your car, then ask if he could pay you!
He was one of the most giving human you would have ever met. Always quick with a story and fast with giving you a nickname that would describe you
instantly, Jim was an original.
[Edited on 4-26-2008 by Juan del Rio]
Juan del Rio - 4-26-2008 at 09:52 AM
Jim Dandy with John Rellos of Juan y Juan's/Scorpion Bay at his house in La Purisima.
Jim Dandy was one of the very first people to show up in San Juanico who was not a surfer. Never cared much for the ocean afetr spending four years on
a Sub spying on the Russians during the Cold War. A brilliant technician, he helped place one of the first wiretapping boxes on the ocean floor and
the US was able to listen in on all the talk without the Russian's every knowing it!
Juan del Rio - 4-26-2008 at 10:05 AM
I had put this photo on the board last year, but thought I put it here again.
Jim could fix anything (although you would have to wonder how if you every saw wher he lived!). Everyone in the area would bring their guns over for
him to fix (including the police). Even though having guns in Mexico is kinda a "no,no", the local police never bothered Jim about his skill. They
know the the folks out here (who do have guns) use them mostly for purposes of food. There was never even an "intent" of doing things for criminal
activity. That type of thing is unheard of here. The Police trusted Jim and actually watched out for him the entire seventeen years he was in
Purisima. They too were sad to see him pass.
MICK - 4-26-2008 at 01:40 PM
This was taken Last month when My wife and I stopped to see him. We knew it would be the last time and he still made us laugh. To One of my best
friends Via con Dios.
MICK - 4-26-2008 at 02:00 PM
I am trying again
MICK - 4-26-2008 at 02:04 PM
That's a Juan y Juan in 06
MICK - 4-26-2008 at 02:06 PM
Sorry I'm new at this picture thing
Engine fire and humming birds and zucchini bread
Marla Daily - 4-28-2008 at 11:13 PM
Jim Dandy—a kind and gentle soul. We first met Jim in the early 1990s after hearing from our friends, Don and Ann O'Neil of Loreto, how their camper
had caught fire near La Purisima, and how they were rescued by one fine gringo named Jim Dandy. And was he EVER! Jim Dandy insisted Don and Ann, both
nearing their 80s, rest and relax at his palapa while he set about fixing the melted wiring in their camper's scorched engine, covered with dirt from
extinguishing the fire. Yep, he fixed it, and a warm friendship developed. The O'Neils took us to meet Jim Dandy not long after their adventure, and
thus began our semi-annual visits to see Jim in La Purisima. What a wonderful sight he was to behold, sitting in a chair on his petate-covered floor,
with dozens of hummingbirds zooming about his many nearby feeders. Three gallons of sugar water a day he'd mix for his thirsty little friends. Even
the hummingbirds will miss Jim Dandy now that he is gone. And that freshly baked oven-warm zucchini bread—always a few extra loaves for the road for
his friends.
Jim was the sole source of employment for Pablo Higuera, a La Purisima man with a 55-year-old down-syndrome brother, Patricio, who has had no
education; a developmentally disabled wife, Fisi; their two children, both failure to thrive sons, Fernando and Victor; and his aged parents, Juana,
who is bedridden and Luis who is blind. What will become of them now? How will they buy their beans and tortillas now that Jim is gone? 100 pesos a
day went a long way with the Higuera family!
Yes, many will miss Jim Dandy—his generous smile and kind heart. We are among them.
Marla Daily and Kirk Connally
Juan del Rio - 4-29-2008 at 09:32 AM
Jaime Adkins is another person who will miss Jim Dandy. Jaime Adkins was one of the first Americans to come to San Juanico in the late 70's. He was
also the person who bulit the Cantina and brought a little slice of civilization to paradise. He met Jim Dandy on the Beach in San Juanico when Jim
came to explore the area. They became best friends. Jim helped Jaime with everything and never once asked for a penny in return. His joy came from his
heart in helping others. He was like that to the very end with everyone he met. It shows on this board (from the fortunate members who were able to
cross his path) on what truly a wonderful, kind person Jim Dandy was.
Juan del Rio - 4-29-2008 at 09:35 AM
Jim Dandy...may your adventure in Baja go on forever!
ELINVESTIG8R - 4-29-2008 at 09:50 AM
Jim Dandy, Rest in peace my brother. Although I did not know you, from the comments made here you were a good human being. I hope to meet you on the
other side where I would love to hear all about your Baja California adventures. Thank you Juan Del Rio for the words you said about him and for the
photographs showing a caring community.
Sincerely,
David *******