Jim Beevers, age 86, passed away peacefully. He was born on March 4, 1940, and was living in St. George, Utah at the time of his passing.

Jim married the love of his life, DeeAnn Loder Beevers, on May 20, 2009, in Farmington, Utah. Their story began in Yuma, Arizona, where both were spending the winter season in different RV parks. Each, on their own, decided to visit yet another park to check out a ballroom dance class—arriving without partners. It was there they met, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jim and DeeAnn shared a deep love of travel, especially the RV lifestyle. Together they created countless memories exploring the beauty of British Columbia, Canada, and the rugged landscapes of Alaska. One particularly cherished adventure was spending six weeks in Haines, Alaska, where Jim patiently photographed grizzly bears and their cubs in the wild.

A self-taught photographer, Jim had a remarkable eye and an even greater patience for capturing the perfect shot. Whether standing for hours in the rain or waiting through a lightning storm, he was dedicated to his craft. His camera was rarely far from his side. He found great joy in photographing wildlife and landscapes, especially in the Gros Ventre River area, the Grand Tetons, and Zion National Park. He loved sharing these special places with friends and took pride in showing others the beauty he saw through his lens.

Jim had a great passion for life and lived every moment as if it were the greatest moment ever lived. He had a gift for storytelling, and to hear him tell it, each story was the greatest story ever told. Many of his photographs were, in his words, the greatest photos ever taken—each with an even greater story behind how he captured it.

One such story perfectly captured Jim’s adventurous spirit. After photographing a meteor breaking apart in the night sky over the desert, Jim became convinced he knew exactly where it had landed—and that it might be worth a fortune. Determined to find it, he set out on a solo expedition into the desert. He drove his ATV as far as he could into the mountains, then continued climbing on foot as darkness fell. Realizing too late that the terrain was too steep to descend safely, he pressed on to the summit. With only a root beer, a granola bar, and light clothing, Jim spent the cold desert night moving to stay warm. He eventually descended the far side of the mountain and walked 17 miles around it to return to his ATV. Exhausted and cold, he later took shelter in a culvert beneath the interstate before finally making his way home the next day—bloodied, bruised, and full of what he would surely call the greatest story ever told, along with a renewed determination to find that meteorite. Jim was 84 at the time.

Jim’s curiosity and love of discovery extended far beyond photography. He was an avid arrowhead collector and found thousands during his time exploring in Mexico. He had a passion for lapidary work, leaving behind boxes of polished stones, some carefully crafted into jewelry. He loved music and played the guitar, enjoyed studying the night sky through astronomy, and built an impressive collection of rare and collectible coins. Jim also had a knack for tinkering—rarely encountering something broken that he couldn’t figure out how to fix.

Jim also had a special way with children. He delighted in spending time with them, often inviting them to help with simple tasks like filling bird feeders. One Easter, he created a memorable egg hunt by burying plastic eggs filled with coins and letting the kids search for them using metal detectors—a reflection of his playful spirit and creativity.

He will be remembered as a kind, intelligent, and loving man. He rarely grew angry, carried a witty sense of humor, and loved to tease those he cared about. Jim brought warmth, laughter, and a sense of adventure to all who knew him.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, DeeAnn Loder Beevers; his children, Sue (Larry) Dach and Mike (Cyndi) Beevers; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.