James E. Day

James "Jim" E. Day passed away peacefully in Green Valley, Arizona on May 13, 2024, at the age of 83, after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Alva, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1940, to Helen Nevitt and Joe R. Day, Jim's journey through life was marked by academic excellence, professional achievements, and a profound love for nature and adventure.

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.