James Thomas "Jim" Somerville
Marriages
Margaret Williams - 1972
Burial Details
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 7B - February 5, 2020
James “Jim” Thomas Somerville, 78, of Palisade, died Feb. 2,
2020, in Grand Junction. Services 10 a.m. Feb. 22, at Palisade United
Methodist Church.
The Daily Sentinel page 6A - February 19, 2020
Jim Somerville, 78, of
Palisade, passed away on
February 2, 2020, at HopeWest
Hospice, surrounded by his
family.
Jim was born in Fairplay, CO
to James E. and Mabel Thomas
Somerville. During WWII, his
father left the gold mines of
Alma and headed to Southern California to work in the shipyards,
while his mother, Mabel, was a riveter, just like Rosie.
After the war, the Somervilles moved to Palisade CO, where Jim
attended school. He was an active Explorer Scout and graduated
from Palisade High School in 1959 after excelling in track, baseball
and football. He was a proud member of the Bulldogs’ 1958 State
Championship Football Team. Coach Darrell Meisenheimer
claimed, pound for pound (118 lbs.) “there never was a tougher
Bulldog”.
In the summer of 1959, Jim began coaching the Palisade O.T.A.,
a youth baseball program and continued the program while also
working on the United Fruit Growers platform. That fall he attended
Biola University in La Mirada, CA, where he played baseball. After
three years, Jim transferred to Colorado State University, graduating
with a BS in math and science. He later earned a MA at Western
State College. Jim began teaching math and science at the newly
opened Bookcliff Jr. High, where he developed many life-long
friends and coached football and basketball. In 1982, Jim opted to
transfer to the new Mt. Garfield Middle School in Palisade, where
he taught math and coached basketball. Again, his peers became
life-long friends. Although not a scientifically proven fact, many
claim Jim Somerville could teach algebra to anyone, including the
parents.
In 1972, Jim married Margaret Williams, whom he met while
teaching at Bookcliff. During their 48 years together, they were
blessed with daughter, Katie (Pat) of Johnstown, RI, and Jamie
(Ashley) of Palisade; grandchildren, Chase, Ayden, and Hazel, and
his beloved yellow Lab, Chip. He is also survived by brother, Tom
(Sherrie), and sister, Margaret (Travis), both of Fruita; sister-in-law,
Linda Hughes (Terry) of Grand Junction, and his dear 100-yearold aunt, Aldene Thomas of Price, UT. Family was very important
to Jim and he thoroughly enjoyed the visits of his several nieces,
nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by brother, Milton in
1982.
In 1989, Jim and John McClain, along with many other parents,
pursued their dream of organizing Palisade Area Little League.
Numerous pieces of vacant and farm land became Fields of Dreams,
until a permanent complex was developed by many parents adjacent
to the new Palisade High School. For the next five years, Jim served
as President and John as Vice President/Field Foreman. They both
are thankful to those who have carried on their dream.
Jim loved most anything outdoors: skiing, tennis, fishing, hiking
with his dog, his cabin on Grand Mesa, and even mowing the lawn.
Upon retirement, Jim and Maggie enjoyed numerous cruises with
great friends and regular trips to Arizona for the Rockies spring
training.
In his youth, Jim was an active member of Grace Baptist Church,
and after marriage, joined Maggie at the Palisade United Methodist
Church. They are especially thankful for the recent help from their
church family and the walks he and Chip took at Riverbend Park
with Dave and Boomer.
The family extends its thanks to Dr. David Johansen, M.D. and
staff, Dr. Peggy Ensign, M.D. and to everyone at HopeWest for
the kind and loving care Jim received. In lieu of flowers, please
consider HopeWest (3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, CO 81506)
or the Palisade United Methodist Church (P.O. Box L, Palisade,
CO, 81526)
Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 22, 2020,
10:00 a.m. at the Palisade United Methodist Church, 365 Main St.,
Palisade, CO.
