James Robert Knudson

Born in Enchant, Alberta on January 9, 1916 to Clara (Haugen) and Peder Knudson, James

Robert Knudson was the second youngest of six children. He was still an infant when the family

moved to Granite Falls, Minnesota. When he was two his father died of influenza, plunging the

family into poverty. His mother and all the children worked, barely making ends meet. When

he was 17 his mother died and he left home to live with his oldest sister. While there he

finished High School and joined the CCC, sending most of his pay back to his family. After the

CCC he moved to Colorado Springs seeking employment. While working as a cook at a local

sanitarium he met Margaret Thomas, fell in love and married her on February 16, 1939. They

have been together ever since.

Seeking work, they moved to Los Angeles, CA and were there when the war broke out.

Unable to join the armed forces because of old injuries he went to work for Lockheed building

planes. After the war the family (now including 4 year old NormanTyler) moved to

Pepperwood, CA near Eureka where they opened the Wildwood Grill. ln 1949 the family (now

including two year old Scott Robert) moved to Grass Valley, CA.

He opened Jimmy's 49er Cafe' in Grass Valley and it was here that he conceived and

developed the concept of Jimboy's Tacos. In 1954 he converted an old travel trailer into a taco

stand, put the name Jimboy's Tacos on it and started selling them at Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe.

In 1957 the family moved to Orangevale, CA a year before the birth of their final child, Karen

Elizabeth. With single-minded tenacity Jim, along with Margaret, built Jimboy's Tacos into a

successful local chain in California and Nevada. Although Jim stopped taking an active role in

running the company in the early 80's, he did promotions and acted as spokesman trough

2009.

In 1981, restless in retirement, he and Margaret started to compete in International

Chili Society cook-offs. When Margaret won the ICS World Championship in 1987, he

redoubled his efforts. Jim earned his way into the world finals 11 times, giving him the title of

Grand Master Chili Cook. Finally, in 2006 he won the World Chili Championship at the age of

90, the oldest champion ever. He cooked his last pot of chili on his 95th birthday in Laughlin,

NV. He died at home from cancer 17 days later in the early hours of January 26th, 2011.

The hardships that James Knudson grew up with steeled his character but did not

coarsen his nature. A man of sparkling humor, quiet courage and steadfast will, he lived his life

with a wholehearted energy that endeared him to all he met. Although his will failed to stem

the cancer that ended his life, his humor and courage remained to the very end. James

(Jimboy) Knudson's life has ended but his presence lives on in the hearts and minds of his family

and friends - death cannot diminish that. He is survived by his wife (Margaret), three children

(Norman, Scott and Karen) seven grandchildren (Liv, Ursula, Sara, Andrew, Eric, Patrick and

Justin) and one great grandson(Ezra James).