RIP Jim Lewis

It is with a heavy heart that I must share with you all that Jim Lewis has departed this world. He passed yesterday in his home surrounded by his family.
I consider myself very lucky to have met Jim here at the IBC only to discover he lived only a few miles from me. He warmly invited me to visit his home not long after and it was my great pleasure to learn about bonsai from him over the last five or so years and to consider him amongst my true friends. I will be forever grateful for the experience.
Rest in peace, my friend.

Unlike our trees that seem to go on and on those of us who create these masterpieces do not. It is sad our members are dropping like tears.

jim's absence from the IBC has been conspicuous before his passing, but for reasons many of us were aware of...

after being scolded by jim several times here on this forum, i am grateful that i was later able to make his acquaintance in person on a couple occasions, the first of which was when i was in asheville in 2014 and he drove "down the mountain" (or was that up ? both ways...? ) to go out for a couple beers with me... and the last of which was at the 2015 carolina bonsai expo where i was honored to deliver him a few of milwaukee's finest beverages and visit with him for a brief time...

jim was truly a really good guy with a surprising (to me) passion for opera, along with dark chewy beers and of course, potted trees

anyone who only knew him from his on-line persona was missing out on the true gem of a person that is jim.

Rest in peace Jim and i will try to encourage folks to post their picture in an upright manner because somebody has to do it !

A sad day for the IBC. Jim was one of the early members of the IBC back in the dark ages as a text only user group. I have known Jim via the IBC for well over 25 years and met him once at a convention. I still have the IBC99 polo shirt he helped coordinate for the event.

I remember sitting with my wife and wishing for the day when we could sit back and read the discussions on a TV or similar large monitor while sitting on the couch rather than huddling in front of the 13" CRT. The IBC has evolved and grown as our trees due. Unfortunately, one of our main branches has died, but we will just have to reconfigure the design and move on.

Patty and my condolences to his wife Jackie and the rest of the family. My he rest in peace and his trees find find loving homes when and if Jackie and the family choose to part with them.

I hope that someone has a connection to them and can pass along our condolences.

Marty

Sad to hear this. Jim was an institution here. A lump in my throat.

This is sad news. You'll be missed here Jim. RIP

My condolences to his family and friends.

Very sad news that Jim, a long time friend, collaborator and motivator of the original IBC has passed after a long illness. Our thoughts are with his family.

Sad news, RIP.

May your spirit fly free Jim.
Rest in Peace mate.

Very sad news indeed, my thoughts are with his family an friends,

John T - MKBonsai

Yes indeed a sad day. My condolences to family and friends. I've missed him on the web, and will miss seeing his trees. I always loved the Bradford pear tree of his, and the wonderful story that went along with the making of it from the seed of a pie that his wife made. A sad day to know this news.

Jim's most recent absence was conspicuous for its length; I had a feeling Jim's long battle with lung disease, about which he was mostly silent, was coming to an end. I met Jim a couple of times at the Bonsai Expo in Asheville. As has been stated, he was a founding member of the IBC and his contributions will be missed. Condolences to his family...

So sorry to hear that. Jim was a good friend and will be sorely missed. He was a great mentor to those new to bonsai here on this forum. As far as I know Jim was the only person to bonsai an Osage Orange, an American native tree. I sure hope his tree finds a home in a public collection like the NC Arboretum bonsai collection so all can enjoy his lovely tree!. For those that don't know anything about how to work with Osage Orange, Jim and I wrote an article a few years back that was published in the Journal of American Bonsai Society. RIP my friend, and Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Knew Jim only briefly, but got glimpses of that tender side under the gruff exterior. Funny how character shows through computer screens- his a good one, to be sure.

A tiresome long illness....
He was kind and generous enough to respond to my messages.
May God rest his soul in the land of living!
Sincere condolences to his family.

JudyB wrote:I've missed him on the web, and will miss seeing his trees.

Randy_Davis wrote:He was a great mentor to those new to bonsai here on this forum.

Precarious wrote:Knew Jim only briefly, but got glimpses of that tender side under the gruff exterior.

Straight to the point and a load of helpful advise, will be missed. Rest In Peace..

yes... that was another thing about jim... while he had no patience for sideways pictures, he never seemed to get sick of answering the same newbie questions over and over and over... now that is true patience and tolerance.

Sad news indeed, my condolences to Jim's family and friends.

Dave

so sad. im shocked. i dont come here often but over the years Jims advice has always been so valuable. RIP Jim

AlainK wrote:

https://youtu.be/IUK8emiWabU

Chokes me up...

In all the time I've been doing bonsai, looking at IBC and other internet forums, Jim was a constant presence. Whether he meant to or not, I think he did a huge amount in promoting bonsai. I only 'knew' him virtually, but I always appreciated his thoughts, comments, and input. I hope he knew how many other people he influenced in that way. I will genuinely miss him.

My condolence to his family and to his "IBC family".

regards,
jun

Sorry to hear this. He helped me with little trees back when this was a newsgroup.

RIP Mr Lewis