James C. Jaramillo, educator; public servant; and businessman passed away, peacefully at home, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. He was a much beloved husband, brother, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

Jim was born on July 29, 1934, in Albuquerque, NM to Prospero and Jenny (Baca) Jaramillo. Being born during the depression shaped Jim's formative years and resulted in a lifetime of compassion and kind-heartedness. His father was a teacher who taught in both northern and southern New Mexico, so Jim spent his first years in El Rito and Socorro, New Mexico. Jim was witness to the needs of others, and he learned the notion and value of public service.

The family returned to Albuquerque in 1938, and Jim attended Eugene Field Elementary School and Washington Junior High School. He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1952, then moved to Los Angeles to live with his grandfather (Abel Jaramillo) for two years, before enlisting in the United States Army in 1954. There he served as a small arms specialist. After his discharge, Jim enrolled at the University of New Mexico. It was then, in 1959 that Jim welcomed his first son Eddie, who was followed by Bobby in 1962. He went on to graduate from the University of New Mexico in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Jim taught Science at Rio Grande High School from 1962 to 1966, and chaired the Science Department, until returning to college for a post-graduate degree at Occidental College in Los Angeles (often called the "Princeton of the West). There he received a master's degree in Urban Studies in 1971. He then went on to earn a National Urban Fellowship through Yale University's School of Urban Studies. While living in San Diego, he worked as the Special Assistant for Urban Affairs for San Diego Mayor Frank Curran.

In Albuquerque, Jim served as the Coordinator of the Home Improvement Project at the University of New Mexico; Adjunct Instructor (in Urban Planning) at the University of New Mexico; Executive Director of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Economic Opportunity Board; and research associate at the Southwestern Cooperative Educational Laboratory. He also served as the Chief of Regional Planning and Development for the Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments, and as head of the Albuquerque Urban Observatory. In 1977, Mayor David Rusk appointed Jim to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque, a role in which he served until 1981.

It was while Jim was in City Government that he met Reyes - the woman who would become the love of his life, and the partner to what he always called his "grand adventure." Jim and Reyes married in 1983, and some questioned his sanity at marrying a woman with seven children, but it was a role that he avidly fulfilled as a loving and supportive stepfather.

Jim's unwavering integrity and compassion drove him to focus on a number of governmental projects that addressed urban planning, development, and the restoration of city neighborhoods as a means by which to combat the physical, social, and economic challenges faced by city residents. He never forgot what he called his "humble roots" as he made a career of championing the issues that faced the disadvantaged members of the community. He was an early proponent of the Chicano movement that promoted civil rights and the empowerment of Americans of Mexican descent, and he was a model for young Latino political activists who struggled to end political and economic disparity within the community. Jim was also an early advocate and supporter of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Retiring from public service in 1981, Jim joined the private sector as a principal associate at Advanced Sciences, Inc. in Albuquerque, where he worked until 1994.

Jim and Reyes lived in Albuquerque and Corrales until 1995 when they moved to Mexico. There, they traveled extensively, finally building a home in La Cruz, Nayarit. Over the years, their home grew to include several beach-front rental bungalows, known as Jardin del Mar. There, they entertained guests from around the world. With Reyes' eye for art and her passion for collecting, they transformed the estate into an oasis of traditional Mexican arts and craft, and a still-thriving business venture.

After his beloved Reyes was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the couple returned to Albuquerque in 2015, eventually living with their granddaughter, Lauren, who cared for them both on a full-time basis and offered them exceptional, compassionate, and loving care during the last years of their lives. With the support of close family, Reyes and Jim were able to spend their last few years at home, surrounded by loved ones. The family would also like to recognize caregivers, Tasha, Nicole, and Rosie for their kind and competent support and care.

While Jim battled metastatic prostate cancer for several years, his innate strength and love for Reyes kept him enduring as her bedrock, with his irrepressible joy for life. Reyes died in December of 2021, and Jim lost his north star. In the end, Jim died – not from cancer – but from a broken heart.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Gerald-Lee Newsom. He is forever reunited with his wife, Maria Reyes. He is survived by three sisters, Olivia Jaramillo and Judi Jaramillo (both of Albuquerque); and Hazel Jaramillo of Sausalito, California; by two sons, James Edward Jaramillo (and wife, Patricia); and Robert Jaramillo; by seven step-children: Jack Newsom (and wife Theri Raby); Jerry Newsom (and wife Vicki); Gene Newsom (and wife Carol); Elizabeth Newsom (and husband Matthew Johnson); Rhonda Newsom (and husband Gil Santistevan); Tomas Newsom (and husband Eric Turic); and Patrick Newsom (and wife Anne Reis).

Nine grandchildren also survive him: Jherica Martinez (and husband Chris); Lauren Newsom-Gonzales (and husband Chris Gonzales); Isabella Reis-Newsom; Shane Newsom; Madeline Newsom; Emilio Raby-Newsom; Raquel Raby-Newsom; Nicolas Santistevan; and Santiago Reis-Newsom. He is additionally survived by five great-grandchildren: Indie Martinez; Xavier Newsom-Gonzales; Zaiden Newsom-Gonzales; Levi Martinez; and Ollie Martinez. To his grandchildren, Jim would like to express his deepest love and gratitude for them sharing in his life so very well lived, and he wants them to always remember to take joy in life, because "life is just a bowl of cherries."

Jim lived a life of exceptional public service. His life took an arc that would rival the best fiction. He was an uncompromisingly good mentor, loyal friend, loving father, and incomparable grandfather. His love affair with Reyes was the stuff of the greatest romantic novels. His passing has left a void that will never be filled, but his memories will sustain us with joy for the balance of our own lives.

His life will be celebrated at a memorial on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. at the University of New Mexico Alumni Chapel. A reception will follow at 7:30 P.M. at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown 222 Central SE. There will be a private internment later in Las Nutrias, NM.