Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: CamiSu
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 07:00 PM

I am actually looking for the identity of my hitch-hiker. Anyone here from the Tennessee area might know who he was? He worked with Walkin' Jim, his wife is a fiddler, and his daughter a dancer.

Mostly curious.

I only knew a bit about Walkin' Jim, and will dig further on him!

Thank all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 11:49 AM

http://www.walkinjim.com/

you can find Jim's music and his sister Susan Grace and others here:
http://www.walkinjim.com/index.php?pr=Wild_Earth_Music

http://www.explorebigsky.com/newspost/%E2%80%9Cforever-wild%E2%80%9D-memorial-planned-for-montana-singer-songwriter-activist

these ranches were places that he worked and played:

http://lastchanceranch.biz/

http://www.lonemountainranch.com/

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 12:51 PM

Would that I could just pick up and walk over there for the memorial to this good man. Walkin' Jim was a fine and admirable fellow. He talked the talk, but he CERTAINLY DID WALK THE WALK. I met him first when he showed up at a concert of mine near Detroit---maybe 25 years ago.

If you've not read it, go out and find Walkin' Jim Stoltz fine book --- "Walking With The Wild Wind" --- Jim captures and presents himself amazingly well in those pages!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Aug 11 - 01:17 PM

Sunday I picked up a hitch-hiker who had just been hiking the Appalachian Trail (and was heading back to his car in CT) and he told me that he was heading to Montana for Walkin' Jim's memorial. It is this Saturday.
Memorial for Walkin' Jim I did not get the guy's name, and was unable to ask if he was a 'Catter in the short time we had. He was, (I think) from Tennessee. His wife had headed to Maine for Fiddle Camp, and his daughter is a dancer/tech, in NYC I think. Anyone know who he might be? He also has a Dartmouth connection.

Just curious.

And those who are wanting to go to the memorial probably already know about it..

Thanks!

CamiSu

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: GUEST,Nuke
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 07:39 PM

A real nice fellow. An environmentlist before most of us knew what that meant. It was a pleasure to spend a little time with him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 03:34 AM

who is Stella?

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: GUEST,Mary Hanneman
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 01:55 AM

I met Jim through his friend, and my ex-husband, Tom (Inspired the song Distant Far Horizon). Jim was such a powerful songwriter, activist and artist that he inspired everyone he met to think, act and feel differently about this precious Earth. Jim met Tom and I in Montana in 1986 for a long hike and a few evening serenades. What a treat to listen to Stella and Jim weave their magic in the wild. Both he and Tom were the best of men.

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 06:08 PM

Susan's home page is here: http://www.ptialaska.net/~blackdog/grace.htm

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 02:59 PM

Peter-
I was there the summer of '95 and winter of 95-96. I just missed her it looks like.
Jerry

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 01:55 PM

Guest Jerry: What years did you work at LMR? My little girl was there winters of 92-3 and 3-4.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:30 AM

I was fortunate enough to work at Lone Mountain Ranch with Jim in the mid 90's.

I got to share a few meals with him and attend his shows there. He was always interested in me and what I did, when it was he that had such a story to tell. This is sad.

Jerry Lawson

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: GUEST,Dana
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 02:28 AM

I knew Jim for more than 20 years and helped him bring his love of the wild to cyberspace through several web sites. The news about his passing is sad. Like some who posted here, I saw him during is Spring tour this year.   

I feel so honored to have known this very special man! His spirit continues to walk through his legacy of music, words, photography and art. If you don't have his music, visit www.walkinjim.com and get lost in his amazing photos and add his music to your collection soon!

Someone asked about music by his sister Susan Grace. You'll find it on this page on Jim's web site: Wild Earth Music

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:13 PM

I knew some of this, but I thought he had more time left. Just very sad.

Jim showed up at a Michigan concert I did several years ago. We swapped music then, and I've been a fan ever since. But what Jim achieved alone, walking in the wilderness he loved, taking it in and giving it back almost with every step and intake and exhalation of breath, was always an inspiration for me, as well as being a reminder that I was possibly one of the most successful couch potatoes in all of folkiedom. (I'm not proud.)

But I am proud of knowing Walking Jim Stoltz even though we "talked" mainly by e-mail since 1997. ------ Folks, if you are looking for a fine read, pick up the book Jim wrote called WALKING WITH THE WILD WIND----Reflections On A Montana Journey. ----- The man is there in every sentence-----and also between the lines.

Get it from:
Lone Coyote Publications
P.O. Box 160477
Big Sky, Montana 59716

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: GUEST,elaine
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:04 PM

condolences to all of us who loved jim, and there were many. my name is elaine and i am jim's first wife. we remained close, dear friends, and i only just found out a few hours ago that he passed. he was a loving husband and stepfather to my two sons, both of whom are overwhelmed.thnk only kind thughts f him, for that ws all he gave.

with much sorrow,

elaine bailey

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:32 PM

wish i was there to go to the memorial this afternoon...
http://lastchanceranch.biz/

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Cool Beans
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:18 PM

I'm very sorry to learn of Walkin' Jim's death. I met him only once, in the late 70s in Michigan and told a colleague at the Detroit Free Press that I'd met this guy who had walked across the country and that he'd be a good story. My friend wrote the story--I still remember parts of it*--and that was Walkin' Jim's first splash of media attention. RIP, Jim.

* On one of his treks, Jim had met another man named Jim Stoltz. That's what happens when you walk across the country, my friend wrote, "You meet yourself coming and going."

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Effsee
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:23 PM

Thanks for the explanation Ebbie & Alice.

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:29 PM

It is always a wake-up call when someone your same age passes away..a
reminder of mortality. I understand his sister Sue is a singer and a songwriter as well. Must have had a great, inspiring family to spawn such creative siblings. Does anyone know about Sue's music?

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:48 AM

I recall Jim spoke of his photography...and how he was one of the last photographers who used film cameras..he would come back from a hike with rolls and rolls of fotos..check out the links on his site...
there are many artists....what a wonderful human being he was!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:19 AM

Jim helped to start this organization http://www.musemusic.org/
Musicians United to Sustain the Environment. (The name of this group
reminds me of a group of musicians that played at anti-nuclear energy rallies in the 80's called Musicians United for Safe Energy--Jackson Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Jessie Collin Young and others played music in this group)

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Deckman
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:11 AM

Laurel ... that's the same show I saw ... he musta' been heading south from Everett. bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 12:57 AM

I attended a beautiful slide show and concert by Walkin' Jim just a few months ago. The slides were of the Last Wild Places and there were so many. I hope his images are saved for future generations...made into a movie, perhaps? He seemed fine when he was in Chico at the end
of April. The Program was called Forever Wild (sub title: the road less travelled is not a road) The images, music and stories were from 28,000 miles of wilderness walking. www.walkinjim.com has touched many. may his spirit walk on!

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 12:42 AM

Here is a woman in Montana who uses them:

"Art work is painted on canvas or handmade watercolor Arches (140lb wt) paper with cattle-markers, which are oil-based paints sticks that ranchers use to mark their livestock. "I enjoy working with the markers because they allow me to draw with paint. I do not use any paintbrushes, just my hands to manipulate the image". The color is vivid and dries permanently with rich texture."

Some Interesting Art Work Here

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Alice
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 12:35 AM

Effsee, cattle markers (bought in ranch supply stores) are a medium most notably used here in Montana by the late artist Gennie DeWeese. Her husband, Bob DeWeese was my painting and print professor and my mentor.
Quote from "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance":
Gennie DeWeese and drawing with cattle markers


Alice

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 12:20 AM

Shit, being "oil-based cattle markers," right???


-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 12:12 AM

SHIT!

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Deckman
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 11:26 PM

I met him just 6 months ago and really enjoyed his music at a house concert in Everett, Washington. bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Effsee
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 10:50 PM

Another good man gone. RIP.
Forgive my ignorance on this side of the pond, but just what does
"He liked to work in the medium of oil-based cattle markers on canvas." mean?

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Alice
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 10:45 PM

I took one of those winter horse drawn hay rides at Lone Mountain Ranch for dinner up in a cabin with Jim's music. I didn't realize he was a year younger than me. Sad early passing.

A.

Subject: RE: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stoltz, age 57 (3 Sept 2010)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 10:39 PM

Here's the obituary from his Website, http://www.walkinjim.com/:

Legendary American Folksinger
and Backcountry Traveler
James "Walkin' Jim" Stoltz
Returns to Earth
Walkin' Jim Stoltz set off on his last forever wild hike on Friday, September 3, 2010. Our master troubadour and dear friend fought a heroic battle with cancer in Helena, MT. He was 57 years old.

Walkin' Jim is widely known throughout the U.S. for his unique combination of long-distance hiking, original songwriting, and photography. Jim was an adventurer, artist, poet, photographer, author, and environmental activist.

In his lifetime, he accomplished numerous long-distance treks including the complete lengths of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, an east to west cross-continent hike, the entire U.S. Continental Divide, trips from Yellowstone to the Yukon, and many others. In total, he hiked over 28,000 miles of long-distance trips.

When not on a long trip, Walkin' Jim could be found on any of the many trails in southwest Montana for a day hike with family and friends. He was also an avid cross-country skier. Jim also enjoyed wilderness travels by canoe.

Between trips, Jim would create, produce and perform original shows of his travels with photography and music, always incorporating his keen sense of environmental awareness and justice for all things wild. His musical, hiking, and environmental career spanned 45 years.

Jim was born in Royal Oak, MI, June 8, 1953, to Wilbur and Audra Stoltz. He graduated high school from Royal Oak - Kimball High School.

Walkin' Jim began playing the guitar when he was in the 4th grade. He performed in several bands during the 1970s. He attained his love for the outdoors and hiking beginning with the Boy Scouts. His first long-distance hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1973.

The following year, Jim began his Ocean to Ocean walk beginning in West Quodyhead, ME, and ending on the Olympic Pennisula, WA. The entire trip followed dirt roads, railroad tracks, and trails.

Jim's first recording was "Spirit is Still on the Run," in 1986. He also recorded, "Forever Wild," "Listen to the Earth," "The Long Trails," and many others. Walkin' Jim produced over eight musical albums and one music video for children, "Come Walk With Me."

Jim was an accomplished poet. His poetry was published as, "Whisper Behind the Wind." Walkin' Jim wrote a book, "Walking with the Wild Wind: Reflections on a Montana Journey," highlighting his inspirational travels and wilderness philosophy.

A few year's ago, Jim discovered his talent for painting. He developed an extensive array of work in oils specializing in interpretive environmental themes. He liked to work in the medium of oil-based cattle markers on canvas. Many of his paintings reflected themes from his songs and poetry.

Walkin' Jim founded Music United to Sustain the Environment (MUSE) with Craig Wagner, and Joyce Rouse. MUSE is a group of professional touring musicians who are concerned about the health of our planet. Many of them draw their inspiration from the land, and feel the need to give something back toward protecting it. Walkin' Jim stood at the forefront of many environmental causes throughout the U.S.

Jim helped with the planning and design of several trails throughout the American Southwest. A short segment of U.S. Forest Service trail in northern Arizona was recently created and named the Walkin' Jim Trail.

To spread his love of people and song, Jim was employed for nearly 30 winter seasons at Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, MT, driving horse-drawn sleighs to festive dinners where he performed his extensive repertoire of music.

Jim's life is richly entwined by a web of countless dear friends, including thousands of children throughout the country who have learned and loved his stories and songs.
Walkin' Jim is survived by his true friend Leslie Stoltz, Big Sky, MT, brother Mark Stoltz, Honor, MI, and sister's Susan Grace Stoltz, of Fairbanks, AK, and Lisa Mohr, Wixom, MI, and many nieces and nephews.

Jim's life work and dreams centered on his desire to share the beauty, the unique character, the mood, and the value of wilderness through his music, writings, art, and activism. He leaves a special and enduring legacy to his family, friends, and enumerable list of fans. A legacy directing all of us to live lives of happiness while sharing in and protecting all things wild.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 4:00 p.m., Last Chance Ranch, 2884 Grizzly Gulch, Helena, MT.

Subject: Obit: Walkin' Jim Stolz
From: GUEST,julia L
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 10:33 PM

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but I just heard that Walkin' Jim had passed away. Apparently he had cancer. Such a sad loss- an inspiration gone too soon.
I don't know details of time, etc but could not find a previous posting. Perhaps someone else knows more
julia