James Dan Bonde

Jim Bonde died early Monday morning, June 13, 2011 at Longmont United Hospital after a four year struggle with a rare form of brain cancer. Jim was born in Denver, CO and raised in Longmont where he lived nearly all his life.

Jim attended Spangler Elementary and Columbine Elementary, Northeast Junior High, and Skyline High Schools in Longmont. He was a member of Skyline’s first three-year graduation class in 1981 where he was also a member of the swim team all three years. Jim was also a member of the Longmont Swim Club – Skeeters – during his Junior and Senior High School years.

Following graduation, Jim worked as a local and over-the-road truck driver for several local moving companies, ultimately winding up his career with Golden Van Lines in Longmont where he spent the majority of the last 15 years.

Jim was baptized, confirmed, and a member of the First Lutheran Church of Longmont.

Jim was an avid fisherman and could often be found wetting lines in many local streams and lakes with friends and acquaintances alike. Jim helped his brother, Steve, move to Alaska in 1994 where he extended his fishing repertoire to include king, silver, red, and pink salmon, halibut, and rockfish. Jim was a member of the White Rock Rod and Gun Club and, in recent years, was to be found enjoying the fishing and camping with friends and family.

Jim will be remembered as the guy who would always lend a hand, never complained, and always had a smile on his face. He was always quick with a joke and had something good to say about everybody he talked to. Even when he was undergoing painful chemotherapy or radiotherapy, Jim was interested in the wellbeing of his friends, family, and visitors; he never dwelled on his own disease. Those who knew him well remember his unique laugh, not only because of its uniqueness but because one heard it all the time. ‘You always know when Jim is in the room when you hear that laugh’.

Jim never married but was devoted to his girlfriend: Terri CanarJanson. He is survived by his parents: Dan and Bernice Bonde of Longmont; brother Steve Bonde (Mary) of Golden, sister Janet Gilmore (Max) of Julesburg, CO; nephews Jeff Gilmore of Longmont, Kenny Gilmore of Brighton, Zane Bonde of Golden; and niece Kira Bonde of Golden. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends who will have a difficult time getting used to a world without Jim in it.He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Kris and Else Bonde of Longmont, and Jake and Alice Heil of Longmont; three aunts: Joyce Wagner of Longmont, Betty Bonde of Boulder, and Dorothy Heil of Longmont, two uncles: Herman Wagner of Longmont and Harold Heil of Longmont; four cousins: Kenny Bonde of Ft.Lewis, WA, Gordon Heil and Bret Heil both of Longmont, and Anna Bonde of Northfield, MN.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at First Lutheran Church on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 4:00pm with an informal remembrance reception following the service at the church.