James Joseph Dwight

James Joseph Dwight, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully on February 13, 2025 at his home in Phoenix. He was 94 years old.

Dwight, fondly known as Jim or Big Jim (Papa or Big Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren), was a character with a larger than life personality and was truly one of a kind. You could often hear him before you saw him, with a huge plume of cigar smoke following wherever he went. He drank scotch, smoked cigars, played cards, swore, and was unapologetically, authentically himself. Jim was a family man, with his greatest pride being the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is loved and will be missed by all that knew him well.

Jim was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 2, 1930 and grew up with his parents, Lucille and Joseph, and his younger sister Barbara. He spent his early years living in Southern California while his father worked in the Navy shipyards as a welder during WWII. In California Jim began his lifelong pastime of vegetable gardening. He planted a Victory Garden wherever his family lived, continuing to tend his garden up until his passing. When the family returned to Arizona from California, Jim completed grade school at Kenilworth Elementary School and then went on to Phoenix Union High School where he excelled in baseball, graduating in 1948.

Jim earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Arizona, playing third base for the Wildcats his Freshman and Sophomore years. He joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and began to study for a degree in engineering. While at the University of Arizona, he met the love of his life, Geraldine Rose Dickie, on a blind date. They fell in love, and were married on December 9th, 1950. Their love was the foundation upon which the family was built. Two years into college, Jim was drafted into the Army and served his time dutifully. Upon discharge from the Army, Jim completed an accounting degree at ASU while working nights in the family bakery, The Dutch Oven, on Mill Avenue in Tempe, to support his young family.

Jim briefly considered a professional baseball career when offered a position on a minor league team before ultimately deciding to attend law school at the University of Arizona. Upon graduating, Jim and Geri moved their family to Scottsdale where Jim opened his law practice in 1958.

Jim and Geri moved into their Phoenix home in 1960, where they resided together for 64 years. It was in this home that many family traditions were built, as generation after generation grew up with him at the center. Like Jim, his family is large, loud, and fiercely loyal. They all recognize what a rare and special gift he was to each of them.

Jim will be remembered for many things, including his enthusiastic embrace of education. He made sure that all of his children and grandchildren pursued college degrees, helping financially and motivationally as needed. He was known for having his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren read the newspaper out loud to him. He regularly quizzed them on their math facts and spelling words and always corrected their grammar. This mentoring continued with his great-grandchildren up until his passing.

After working in his father’s bakery as a young man, he established an annual tradition of baking Danish pastries during the holidays. Every year, generations gather at his house to continue this family tradition. It is a loud and joyful affair never to be missed.

Jim was a member of Arizona Country Club where he played golf and bridge. He continued his weekly card games with his ACC friends throughout his life.

Most of all, Jim was an avid fisherman. Some of the fondest family memories that will live on are from fishing and camping trips to Lake Mead, Lake Powell, San Diego, and La Paz, Mexico. While fishing was the intent, the trips were much more. They were the foundation of so many of his family’s core memories and life lessons. Whether it was a hooked body part instead of a fish, a tent blowing into the water, a boat sinking, a trailer wheel falling off, a chipped tooth, or a wedding ring lost (and found), these memories live on in each of us. And…don’t forget the ones that got away!

Family always came first for Jim, and he was happiest when surrounded by friends and loved ones. As loud and bombastic as he could be, he had an incredibly tender heart. He had a magnetic charm about him that put everyone at ease. Time and space was made for all, welcoming everyone into his home and his heart. Jim made friends wherever he went and he had a way of making everyone feel like they were family. He was everybody’s favorite person, larger than life, vibrant and charismatic. He will be sorely missed.

Jim is survived by Geraldine Rose, his devoted wife of 74 years, his daughter Debbie Voris and her husband John, daughter Sherilyn Sandor and her husband Joe, son James Dwight Jr and his partner Roxanne Karakey, son Greg Dwight and his wife Marcie, twelve grandchildren, and twenty-eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 23 at 1:30 pm at Valley Presbyterian Church, with a graveside service to follow at Green Acres Cemetery.