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Mammoth Monthly
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James Juarez, 35, of Mammoth Lakes and Grenada Hills, Calif., died on Mammoth Mountain on April 6, 2006.
James was a trusted member of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol and adored his job, skiing and the Sierra Nevada. He was promoted as a shooter last year, and enjoyed avalanche control, particularly one of his favorite shoots, Hemlock Ridge; which he shot his last morning of work.
James was born August 24, 1970. He lived in Southern California during the off-season, and helped his father with his successful business of building swimming pools.
He loved to surf and did so often. James was a voracious reader and loved to read history. He was extremely creative and had the ability not only to conceive of new ideas and projects but manufacture and engineer anything he imagined. He loved to work with leather, and you can see his handiwork in the work belts of many patrollers on the mountain.
Burning Man was a favorite outlet for his creativity. He was extremely hands-on, with a strong work ethic and sense of pride. He was motivated by what was right and spoke passionately about what he believed in.
He got down to business quickly when it was time to be serious, but he was mischievous, and loved to make others laugh. His laugh was unmistakable.
He is survived by his father, George Juarez and his wife Susan Takahashi, and his cousin, Kaitlin Takahashi, all of Grenada Hills. He is also survived by his mother, Moon Kim and her husband, as well as a step-sister.
His boundless energy, determination and easy laugh will be missed and dearly remembered by everyone who knew him.
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Comments
Thank you, James, I know that your spirit lives on eternally. Your last shoot allowed me to experience freshies on Hemlock Ridge. My first ever trip to Mammoth just happened to coincide with your untimely passing. I hiked that ridge ten times before I left over the next two days and every time I stood strapped into my FatBob absorbing the view of the Minarets on top of that cornice, I lifted my arms above my head and cried to the heavens. Your daily work allowed people like me to meet our dreams. To be standing on this precipice, only soft north facing piles of snow below me. Thank you again, James, I will always return to Hemlock ridge each year and shout your praise, yell your name, let the wind absorb my cries and then drop into the freshness that you knew so well and wanted to keep safe for people like me....you are missed but not forgotten!
Posted by: ER Harris | at 8:40 PM on April 10, 2006
Thank You James, you have touched the souls of many including myself. Thank You for all the great times in San Diego, Jersey Ct. You were doing what you loved and we all admire you for that. We will miss you, but never forget you!
Posted by: Brian Kettmann | at 7:57 AM on April 11, 2006
I had the great op to ride up Facelift with James once, this season. He was such a positive person. Isn't it funny--just one ride and I remember it like it was yesterday. It was so sad to hear about the accident and the loss of all three. Our hearts are with you.
Posted by: Wynne Benti/Bishop CA | at 8:20 PM on April 11, 2006
I will always remember you in my heart.
Posted by: Dawn Rubio (cousin) | at 7:54 PM on April 13, 2006
James was one of my friends from 6th to 9th grade in Granada Hills. We rode dirt bikes and played GI Joe in the local canyons. He was one of the most active, rambuctuous kids I knew, always laughing, playing jokes. I lost touch with James almost 20 years ago, and it is the coverage of this terrible accident that put me back in touch with the person James became. I am proud that he lived his life on his own terms and stayed true to himself. A very telling moment I'd like to share - when our 6th grade class was away at a camp retreat in the mountains with several other classes from other schools, I became very homesick in the boy's dorm. It was James that shut everyone up to find out why I was crying. I was mortified at first that the dorm's attention was now focused on me... but then I realized that James was only trying to be a friend. Helping others was second nature to him. Thank you, James. All of us from the "old school" miss you.
Posted by: Sean Dickson | at 11:40 AM on April 17, 2006
While searching the internet,i came upon the tragic event.First thing I saw was the name JAMES JUAREZ.Which is also my name and I am very close in age (im 36).Seeing that name His name and My name in print.Made me take a look at my life.The things that have been said about James,I like to think are similiar to me.I know it will take time for the loss to heal,but know he is in heaven able to see those mountains he loved through the eyes of GOD.To read the wonderful things said about JAMES,makes me ask everyone to think of each other with such wonderful words and thoughts while in LIFE as in passing.GOD is and will ALWAYS be with you all. p.s. I,will do my best to keep the wonderful name of James Juarez in good standing. Thank you, Sincerly, James W. Juarez
Posted by: james (jim) w. juarez | at 3:43 PM on May 11, 2006
I miss you buddy...
Posted by: Ira Gerlich | at 10:14 PM on June 4, 2006
I KNEW JAMES (J.J.) SINCE THE 10th GRADE AT KENNEDY HIGH AND I WAS HIS PEN PAL WHILE HE WAS IN THE MARINES CORP.. THATS HOW YOU REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE IS THROUGH THEIR LETTERS AND I KNOW THAT HE WAS A VERY SMART,VERY FUNNY AND VERY BRAVE MAN. THE ONE THING I WILL NEVER FORGET AND WILL ALWAYS SEE WHEN I THINK OF HIM IS HIS SMILE, IT COULD LIGHT UP A ROOM. SO THE NEXT TIME ANYONE GOES TO THE BEACH AND SMELLS THAT WONDERFUL SALTY AIR OR LETS THE NEXT BATCH OF SOFT POWDER RUN THREW THEIR FINGERS THINK OF JAMES AND SMILE BECAUSE YOU KNOW THATS WHAT HE WILL BE DOING LOOKING DOWN ON ALL OF US! YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.
Posted by: Dawn (Lewis) Gara | at 4:25 PM on June 8, 2006