James Page Obituary

James Page
March 29, 2022
Fresno, California - James Alan "Jim" Page of Fresno passed away peacefully on March 29, 2022 with his family by his side. Jim was born March 9, 1960 in Cadillac, Michigan. He was the third of four children born to John Arthur Page Sr. and Joyce Mae Page (nee Gilbraith). Jim lived in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and California. He attended Delano and Monache High Schools and was a talented percussionist and all-state honor band student. His music skills allowed him to travel to Scotland and Ireland as a student. Jim was a member of the marching band where he was drumline section leader. He played in school pep and jazz bands, and a rock band. After high school, Jim attended California State University, Fresno and joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity where he held positions of Rush Chairman, Pledge Educator, President, and Alumni President. He majored in music and again played in the marching and pep bands. He was thrilled to be able to attend the NCAA championship game in 1983. Later, he changed his major to journalism with a public relations option.
His initial professional position was Staff Writer, then Communications Manager, and eventually Marketing Director for Central California Children's Hospital (formerly Valley Children's Hospital). Jim then became Director of Business Development at San Joaquin Hospital for 8 years followed by 4 years as Director of Marketing at Valley PBS (formerly Valley Public Television). Following Valley Public Television, Jim founded the Milestones Youth Jazz Workshop, a program designed to bring jazz education to public school students who did not have access to jazz band programs through their schools. Beginning as an after-school program, Milestones saw hundreds of kids meet weekly with instructors who would teach them the art of jazz music (and accompanying life lessons). While coordinating the program, Jim would eventually expand it to include a week-long summer camp where some of the best musicians from around the country would perform and teach the Milestones students about jazz. The Milestones program was one of Jim's favorite achievements, and he was proud to have been able to bring music education and joy to so many. Through the development of Milestones, Jim became a member, then President, and eventually Executive Director of Jazz Fresno; a non-profit which seeks to further develop jazz education and performance in the greater Fresno area. During his tenure at Jazz Fresno, he continually brought jazz musicians from around the country to perform in Fresno, and contributed to the furthering of music education.
Jim was a member of the Cultural Arts Rotary Club of Fresno where he served as treasurer as well as finding and organizing musicians for fundraising events.
He was an avid sports fan who closely followed the Fresno State Bulldogs, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Rams, and University of Michigan football. He spent many happy hours attending, watching, and listening to games with family, fraternity brothers, and friends. His love of competition may have started when he was a boy playing Scrabble with his grandfather on a homemade board, so it's not surprising that he enjoyed playing Words With Friends. He has known some "Words" friends for over a decade and enjoyed creating team-play and tournaments.
Jim was a kind and loving husband to Melody since June 9, 1989. Together they enjoyed music, good food, nature, a love of words, and a shared sense of humor. Their love of travel took them to Canada, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Iceland and many cities in the United States. Their greatest happiness was the birth of Jacob in 1994. Words can not express the joy Jim felt sharing his love of sports, percussion, travel, and music with his son.
Jim was preceded in death by his father John Arthur Page Sr. and mother Joyce Mae Page of Unionville, Ontario; and mother-in-law Ann Northway (nee Spangenberg) of Clovis, Ca. He is survived by wife Melody (Northway) Page of Fresno; son Jacob Page and daughter-in-law Kathryn Page (nee Deffebach) of Salt Lake City, Utah; brother John Arthur Page Jr. of Oshawa, Ontario; Sisters Nancy Robinson and Patti Page of Riverside, Ca.; father-in-law J.D. Northway of Clovis, Ca.; numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces; and his beloved rescue dog Countessa Basie "Tessie".
For all their help and support, Melody and Jacob would like to thank: Dr. Richard Kiel and the transplant team, The Fresno Congestive Heart Information Program clinic nurses and staff, Hinds Hospice, Mike Mayes, The Temple-Deffebach Family
A Celebration of Life will be held April 28, 2022 at Hotel Picadilly 2305 W. Shaw Ave, Fresno. 12:30-4:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Jazz Fresno P.O. Box 2607 Fresno, CA93729-6071
American Heart Association