Provided Photo
October 27, 1958 – October 10, 2024
Jimmy Sheehan, known as Jimbo or ‘Jumpin’ Jimmy’ to his friends, passed away peacefully on October 10 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Jimmy was born in Mineola, New York and grew up in Williston Park, Long Island. In his youth, Jimmy was known to be a natural-born athlete, excelling in many sports, and he could make a game out of anything at all.
In 1980, Jimmy headed out west with close friends and found himself in Basalt, Colorado. Over the years Jimmy had many jobs in the valley, including driving a taxi in Aspen, doing carpentry work, and being a ranch manager. Jimmy met Pam Rust, from Texas and in 2002, they married in Basalt.
Jimmy’s love of life was only matched by his love of music, both as a fan and as a musician. Jimmy was well known for jamming with friends at parties and get-togethers, and entertaining around many a campfire.
Jimmy was also at home on the river. He loved his raft, and you could see the joy on his face while sharing his love with friends while guiding them through the rapids or on a float trip. Lightheartedness, good humor and generosity were his defining characteristics. Jimmy would often be described as ‘a good guy without a mean bone in his body.’ That soulful, warm and free spirit will be missed by countless friends. One of Jimmy’s favorite songs was the Grateful Dead’s “Ripple.” It was also his and Pam’s wedding song. It’s about creating your own way through life, marking it with your own ripples in the waters of life. Jimmy certainly left ripples, if not waves, in the hearts of all that knew him.
Jimmy is survived by two sisters, Maureen and Anne, and one brother Billy, as well as a large extended family back east. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Helen Sheehan, a brother, Tommy, and his wife Pam, who passed away back in 2020.