Jimmy R Cudjo

James R. Cudjo, born on Tuesday July 26, 1966 in Wewoka, Oklahoma, completed his life on Sunday November 20, 2022 at home surrounded by love. Nothing we can say about the life and works of this man are as impactful as the personal conversations and connections each one of you have had with James. Hold on to those.

James describes growing up as an "army brat" as his father, Lee Ander Cudjo, took the family all over the world. James enjoyed these travels alongside his mother Betty Cudjo, his sister Tina Cudjo, whom he nearly shared a birthday with, and Lisa Cudjo Garrett, his baby sister. These three women are the foundation and the support for James' whole life.

In May of 1985 James graduated from Wewoka High School and went on to study at OU in Norman, Oklahoma. Then in March of 1986 James embraced adventure and enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for several years as a Security Specialist in the SAC Elite Guard both stateside and abroad. James remembers his time in Okinawa, Japan with special fondness, but all of the many people James met, the music he listened to and the foods he tasted later reflected in his art, varied musical pallate and culinary expertise.

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force James returned to Norman to begin his life-long career as a student and a teacher - teaching us as an on-air personality at radio station KGOU, guiding us as a manager and mentor at music, film and department stores, educating us as an instructor in Round Rock ISD and being our therapist and counselor at Mendez Middle School, University of Texas at Austin as well as Roots Behavioral Health. Thank you, James, for all of these gifts.

While back at OU, James met and married Gwyn Beaver and their son Elijah was born in February of 1993 and the trio made their way to Austin, Texas after James' graduation from college in May of 1999. During this time of raising his beloved son, working to provide for his family and attending as much of the Austin area music as he could, James also started a Masters in Philosophy at St Edward's University. James worked as a chef at Whole Foods Market and graduated in May 2022 with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Latinx Counseling from Seminary of the Southwest.

We do not know how to comfort the many friends, students, colleagues and family James leaves behind. We especially remember his mother Betty Cudjo of Norman, Oklahoma. James' sisters Tina Cudjo of Norman, Oklahoma and Lisa Cudjo Garrett of Midwest City, Oklahoma. We remember James' son Elijah Cudjo of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. We also remember Rebekah Johns, as James' partner and friend, as well as her children Cub, Izetta and Evangeline. We also offer deep gratitude to Richard Bruner and Joel Hobbs for their many years of friendship with James from Wewoka on.

Please stay tuned for an upcoming memorial and celebration of James taking place on December 19 or 20th in the Austin / Round Rock area.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Cudjo family.