On Friday, February 5, 2021, Jimmy Oliver Iveson passed away at the age of 63 surrounded by his loving family in Reno, Nevada.
Jim was born on December 3, 1957, in Reno, Nevada to Roger and Sherry (Longero) Iveson. He was most at home in baseball stadiums, on his well-worn waterskis, or anywhere with a book in his hands and his family by his side. Jim shared his love for his family freely and often poetically, especially with his beloved wife, Jane Archer-Iveson. He was known for bringing her fresh flowers every other week, and would proudly and frequently retell the story of how they met and married.
Jim had a lifetime passion for baseball. As a senior at Reno High School he was voted Northern Nevada baseball player of the year and All State catcher. Later in life he was the General Manager of the Glacier Pilots in Anchorage, Alaska, and a coach of his son’s T-Ball and Little League teams. Professionally, Jim began building houses and commercial buildings, contributing to many notable properties throughout the states of Nevada and Alaska. He worked simultaneously as an EMT and Captain on the Reno Fire Department, and will be remembered for his dedication to serving those in need -- including volunteering at Ground Zero in the days following 9/11. Jim’s many accomplishments are all the more remarkable because of his challenges: After surviving a devastating head injury in his early 20s, Jim fought his way out of a coma and through decades of chronic pain with the grit and charisma that characterized his approach to life.
Jim lived a life full of perseverance, compassion, service and humor and shared those traits with his family. He is survived by his wife, Jane; parents Sherry and Roger; brother Tim (Janie); children Brittany (Bryan), Ciera (Nick), Roger (Chelsey), Micaela, John and Kathryn; grandchildren Ella, Brooks, Jimmy and Jeremiah; aunts, uncles, niece and nephew.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in his memory be sent to The Sam Sabini Christmas Basket Fund, Reno Fire Department ATTN: Jana Maas, 1 East First Street, Reno, NV, 89509.