James Leonard Bonham

and Ruth Carolyn Stitt Bonham in Tucson, Arizona. He spent his life in Bisbee except for a few years

the Army sent him to Germany and a few years he attended dental lab school and served an

apprenticeship in Phoenix.

Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years Marsha Davis Bonham; daughters Lori Lynn and Kimberly Kay;

sons-in-law J.R. Fortenberry and Mike Trevizo; grandson James Austen Fortenberry; granddaughter

Ashlyn Marie Fortenberry; step grandchildren Brook, Julia, and Austin Trevizo; great granddaughter

Mia Trevizo; sister Nancy Smith; and a large family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; cherished grandmother Hattie Stitt; siblings Edna, Betty,

Robert, and Louis Jr.; and sister-in-law Sherry Marcell.

As a Bisbee High School student, he was on the varsity tennis team all four years and played Bill Lenoir

from Tucson High, giving him a good match. His passion for tennis never died and he taught many to

play the game.

Like most young men in Bisbee, Jim’s work experience began on the labor gang for Phelps Dodge

Mining Corporation where over 22 years he advanced to heavy equipment operator and leach plant

foreman. His work history is as diverse as he was including: heavy equipment operator, tank turret

mechanic, dental lab technician, movie projectionist, Red Lions tennis pro-shop and Golf Schools of

Scottsdale employee, feed store clerk, compact operator for Cochise County and even a certified

bartender.

Being a movie buff, Jim had no trouble showing up for work for 20 plus years at the local movie

theaters. These were the days when 6 or more reels of film per movie had to be loaded on time in

sequence and a fire lit to light up the screen. Kids needing a ride knew they could stand next to his

truck till he locked up and he would take them home. Mothers also called him for his review. “Is this

movie appropriate for my young child to see?” Most of the time the answer was yes but sometimes

not.

This man always had pride in his work. No matter if he was operating a crane, inspecting an Army

tank, making dentures, showing movies, or loading trash he gave it his all. He was very proud of his

years of service in the US Army and proud of graduating from dental lab school later in life with an

associate degree.

The movie Violent Saturday filmed in Bisbee, released in 1955, starred Victor Mature, Richard Egan,

Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Jim Bonham as an extra.

Jim’s father taught him woodworking and his father-in-law taught him lapidary work. In his lifetime

he made many beautiful and useful items. Artistically talented, he saw beauty in a sunset, a child’s

laughter, or a dog’s sloppy kiss.

An enormous fan of all sports especially the Diamondbacks; Kimberly, Marsha and Jim did attend a

World Series game between Arizona and New York. An outdoors lover: hunting, fishing, camping, and

family picnics gave James great joy.

When daughter Lori wanted to play softball, he helped organize the Bisbee Bobby Sox League

becoming the president, umpire, grounds keeper and popcorn maker.

When his wife Marsha’s 100-year-old treasurer seal was broken, artwork was needed to replace it.

Jim painstakingly provided the necessary artwork that included a copy of a twenty-dollar gold piece.

Jim Bonham had a loving smile, kind heart, was honest and hardworking, a great grandson of Arizona

pioneers, a DeMolay, a Mason, a Shriner, train enthusiast, enjoyed dressing up to play Santa, was

very sentimental crying at movies or when his team won or during the playing of the Star Spangled

Banner, never missed voting in an election, loved his family with all his heart and always wore a hat.

A faithful Christian and devoted believer, Jim was baptized together with Marsha, Lori, and Kimberly.

James L. Bonham passed to the spirit world on April 21, 2024, and is walking with angels.

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at Melcher Chapel of the Roses on June 14th, at 9:00am.

Interment with military honors will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Cave Creek at 12:30pm.

Jim was an avid sports fan. We ask that you wear your favorite team to the service.

In Jim’s honor donations may be made to:

American Arthritis Foundation

PO Box 96280

Washington DC 20090

Hospice of the Valley

1510 E. Flower Street

Phoenix, AZ 85014