Albert James Klemmer Jr.

Albert James Klemmer, Jim, Jimbo. Firstborn of Al and Ruth Klemmer’s 5 children. Jim has 3 living siblings and a predeceased brother, Tom. Jim was born in S. Laguna California on May 8, 1945 and raised in Rochester, New York. Jim, along with his brother Tom, contracted polio in 1952. Spending much of his youth in and out of hospitals, Jim was the crown prince of perseverance and determination, never complaining, never seeing himself as a victim of the ’50’s epidemic. If Jim fell due to his balky leg, he’d simply grimace, get up, and continue on.

Jim attended St. Bernards, a Catholic seminary, but eventually the sirens of religion stopped calling to him. He later earned a masters degree in literature from Binghamton University in New York. After graduation Jim; ran the bookstore at the University of Rochester, moved on to woodworking and cabinet making, and eventually become the owner of a leather shop.

With the cold winds of winter and the humid summers of Rochester taking its toll on Jim’s health/polio he headed south and west and to the more therapeutic desert climes of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Eventually joined by his two sons, first Jesse and then Jason, Jim forged a new life and a final career in Santa Fe as owner of his Natural Health Supply, distributing and eventually manufacturing homeopathic remedies to customers world wide. Jim married his beloved wife Rae and put down permanent roots on 10 acres of pristine rolling ranch land, anchored by a beautiful adobe home complete with barns, corral, and casita, further framed by the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains east and west, often painted by spectacular sunsets. Besides tending to their horses, Jim and Rae established extensive flower and vegetable gardens throughout this spectacular property, including nurturing fruit trees bearing spring flowers and later, July jams and preserves. Walking among the trees, the gardens, the teepee, now gone, the various bird feeders, the magnificent mountain views and all anchored by Jim and Rae’s adobe, we’re talking sacred grounds folks.

Jim’s legacy further reveals a moon howler, a fire pit serenader (think a set list of Dead Skunk, American Pie and any song by Peter Paul and Mary), a strummer (Martin six-string), a painter (trending to impressionism) and a pianist (student of both jazz and classical).

Finally, Jim’s predisposition to laugh at most any and everything was on display to the end. Shortly after hearing the doctors’ pronouncement of “end stage” Jim gave me a call, paused after delivering the awful news, chuckled and quipped, “Well, it was a good run.” So, as we may mourn the passing of our kind, gentle-spirited, generous, talented: husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, we are also reminded of how lucky we were to have been part of his extraordinary life for all these precious years. We love you Jim. Tears of sadness in your passing, tears of joy in your celebration. Sweet brother James. In lieu of flowers, hug a loved one, light a candle and sing a song.

Services are to be determined at a later date, thank you all for your support!!

Link to the Sweet Brother James slideshow: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B2TGWBC59G4Gxsl