Dr. James "Jim" David Fuller

Jim was born on January 1, 1943, in Osceola, Iowa, to Charles and Anne Fuller. The oldest of four children, he grew up with a natural curiosity and love of learning that would remain with him throughout his life. He is survived by his brother, John Fuller, and sister, Jane Fuller.

Jim pursued a career in medicine and completed his medical residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He became a board-certified neurologist and devoted his professional life to caring for others.

In 1980, Jim moved to Durango, Colorado, a community he would call home for the next 40 years. He established a private neurology practice there and spent decades serving patients throughout the Durango community. Medicine was more than a profession to Jim. He had a genuine passion for helping people and dedicated much of his life to his patients, family, friends, and community.

A lifelong Catholic, Jim’s faith was an important part of his life and reflected his deep respect for people and for all forms of life.

Outside of medicine, Jim had an extraordinary range of interests. He loved watching Atlanta Braves baseball, reading about nearly any subject that captured his curiosity, collecting stamps, researching and publicizing our family ancestry, landscaping, and nature photography. Above all, some of his greatest happiness came from spending time with his son and grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, whose passing in 2015 was a profound loss in his life. In his later years, Jim rekindled a meaningful emotional connection with his first wife and devoted companion, Fran Hawks, who shared the last five years of his life with him.

Jim is survived by his son, David James Fuller; his stepdaughter, Arden Galinson; his grandchildren, Joshua David Fuller and Theodore Jesse Fuller; his brother, John Fuller; and his sister, Jane Fuller. His grandchildren held a particularly special place in his heart, and the time he spent with them was among the things he treasured most.

Those who knew Jim will remember a man with a brilliant and endlessly curious mind. He could engage in a fascinating conversation about virtually any subject and possessed a lifelong desire to understand the world around him. But beyond his intellect, Jim will be remembered for his compassion, his love for all forms of life, and the deep affection he had for the people fortunate enough to be part of his life.

Jim treated everyone he met with sincere kindness, dignity, and respect. Whether speaking with a nurse or doctor, a neighbor or friend, or simply a server at a restaurant, he made people feel valued and treated them with the same genuine warmth and consideration. To Jim, kindness was not dependent upon a person’s title or position—it was simply how he treated people.

Dr. James Fuller leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond his accomplishments in medicine. It lives in the patients he cared for, the community he served, the friendships he nurtured, and most importantly, the family he loved.

For me, Jim was more than a respected physician and a man of remarkable intelligence—he was my dad. I will remember the conversations we shared, his endless curiosity, his kindness toward others, and the time we spent together as a family. I am especially grateful that my sons, Joshua and Theodore, had the opportunity to know and love their grandfather and to experience the warmth, wisdom, and curiosity that made him so special.

Dad taught us, often simply by the way he lived, that every person deserves kindness and respect, that there is always something new to learn, and that the people we love are what matter most. His knowledge was remarkable, his curiosity was endless, and his kindness was genuine. I will miss him deeply, but I will always be grateful and proud to have been his son.

A Celebration of Life honoring my dad will be held in the coming weeks. We look forward to gathering with family and friends to share stories, memories, laughter, and love as we celebrate Jim and the remarkable life he lived. Additional details will be shared soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson's Foundation, or Catholic Relief Services in Jim's memory.