James Ray Trevino |
| Posted 2023-12-24 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald from Dec. 22 to Dec. 24, 2023 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - James (Jim) Ray Trevino passed away of kidney complications on October 27, 2023, on a beautiful sunny Arizona day surrounded by his wife of 60 years, Nilawan, and their loving family. Jim was born to Tony and Dorothy Trevino in Fort Worth, Texas on March 9, 1939. The family moved to Colorado where Jim lived until leaving for college in 1958. Jim was a teacher by education and a student of life. As the first in his family to attend college, Jim not only achieved a degree in education but also developed a deep desire to dedicate his life to serving others. Inspired by the famous words of JFK, "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country," Jim began rigorously applying to become one of America's first Volunteers to serve in the newly formed Peace Corps. Though hundreds applied, Jim was one of only 64 American's picked to serve the Country of Thailand. Jim served the Ubol, Thailand community from 1962-1964 as a teacher. During his time in service with the Peace Corps Jim met Nilawan who worked as a teacher in the Ubol Community. They were married on November 1, 1963, and the newlyweds taught alongside one another until Jim's volunteer service was complete in 1964. They then moved to Thonburi, a suburb of Bangkok, where Jim taught at the International School of Bangkok for two additional years. Their first child, Roy was born in 1965 in Thonburi. Jim and his young family eventually returned to the United States where Jim and Nilawan attended Pittsburg State University, in Kansas where they each received a M.S. in Education. Upon graduation, Jim and his family moved to Farmington, New Mexico where they both taught in the local education system and enjoyed time with their extended family. They welcomed their daughter NoRa in 1971, and their son Tyson in 1977. Jim was promoted to the administrative position of Vice Principal, crowning his educational career. After eleven years serving the Farmington education system, they moved to the Parker, Arizona, to care for his gravely ill father. Upon arriving in Parker, Jim started a new career in Real Estate Sales for Don Denton Realty Corporation that lasted over 21 years. Working as a senior salesperson and business manager at several large new home developments, Jim was, as usual, becoming active in community development and outreach. He served on various Homeowner Association Boards (HOA), was elected to serve as a councilman for two terms in which he advocated for the interests of the community he lived in and loved. He was appointed by Governor Rose Mofford to the LaPaz County Hospital Board where he organized and revived the hospital from financial difficulty. Working alongside other community leaders who felt the Parker areas interests were underserved by Yuma County, Jim worked as a member of the ADHOC committee to create LaPaz County in 1982. Passing by a total of fifteen votes, LaPaz county is the only county in the US that was formed by referendum and is the country's second youngest county. Amid all these accomplishments, Jim still found time to go above and beyond for his family and community serving in various parent groups and other interests such as the Special Olympics. Jim retired; from traditional work that is, in 2001 and set to work on building a cabin on the shores of a beautiful Colorado mountain lake with his son, Roy. The family enjoyed the cool summers in Colorado at their beloved cabin while Jim and Nilawan traveled extensively. Their years included trips home to Thailand to visit family and other incredible locations such as Iceland, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Mexico, China, Cambodia, Greece, India, Burma, Loas, Panama Canal, African Safari, Austria, Switzerland, and many more including extensive travel in all 50 states. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Tony and Dorothy Trevino. He is survived by his wife Nilawan, son, Roy (Margie), daughter, NoRa, granddaughters Maddison and Sophia, son Tyson and grandsons Zak, Dominic, and Joseph, great grandchildren Ray, Isabella and Aspen, a brother, Jerry Trevino of Mancos, Colorado and a sister, LaNita Fitzgerald of Mabank, Texas, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and neighbors who loved him dearly. A memorial service will be held for Jim on January 15, 2024 at 1pm at the Parker Elks Lodge, 716 S. Laguna Ave, Parker, Arizona. |
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