and Ruth Carolyn Stitt Bonham in Tucson, Arizona. He spent his life in Bisbee except for a few years
the Army sent him to Germany and a few years he attended dental lab school and served an
apprenticeship in Phoenix.
Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years Marsha Davis Bonham; daughters Lori Lynn and Kimberly Kay;
sons-in-law J.R. Fortenberry and Mike Trevizo; grandson James Austen Fortenberry; granddaughter
Ashlyn Marie Fortenberry; step grandchildren Brook, Julia, and Austin Trevizo; great granddaughter
Mia Trevizo; sister Nancy Smith; and a large family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; cherished grandmother Hattie Stitt; siblings Edna, Betty,
Robert, and Louis Jr.; and sister-in-law Sherry Marcell.
As a Bisbee High School student, he was on the varsity tennis team all four years and played Bill Lenoir
from Tucson High, giving him a good match. His passion for tennis never died and he taught many to
play the game.
Like most young men in Bisbee, Jim’s work experience began on the labor gang for Phelps Dodge
Mining Corporation where over 22 years he advanced to heavy equipment operator and leach plant
foreman. His work history is as diverse as he was including: heavy equipment operator, tank turret
mechanic, dental lab technician, movie projectionist, Red Lions tennis pro-shop and Golf Schools of
Scottsdale employee, feed store clerk, compact operator for Cochise County and even a certified
bartender.
Being a movie buff, Jim had no trouble showing up for work for 20 plus years at the local movie
theaters. These were the days when 6 or more reels of film per movie had to be loaded on time in
sequence and a fire lit to light up the screen. Kids needing a ride knew they could stand next to his
truck till he locked up and he would take them home. Mothers also called him for his review. “Is this
movie appropriate for my young child to see?” Most of the time the answer was yes but sometimes
not.
This man always had pride in his work. No matter if he was operating a crane, inspecting an Army
tank, making dentures, showing movies, or loading trash he gave it his all. He was very proud of his
years of service in the US Army and proud of graduating from dental lab school later in life with an
associate degree.
The movie Violent Saturday filmed in Bisbee, released in 1955, starred Victor Mature, Richard Egan,
Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Jim Bonham as an extra.
Jim’s father taught him woodworking and his father-in-law taught him lapidary work. In his lifetime
he made many beautiful and useful items. Artistically talented, he saw beauty in a sunset, a child’s
laughter, or a dog’s sloppy kiss.
An enormous fan of all sports especially the Diamondbacks; Kimberly, Marsha and Jim did attend a
World Series game between Arizona and New York. An outdoors lover: hunting, fishing, camping, and
family picnics gave James great joy.
When daughter Lori wanted to play softball, he helped organize the Bisbee Bobby Sox League
becoming the president, umpire, grounds keeper and popcorn maker.
When his wife Marsha’s 100-year-old treasurer seal was broken, artwork was needed to replace it.
Jim painstakingly provided the necessary artwork that included a copy of a twenty-dollar gold piece.
Jim Bonham had a loving smile, kind heart, was honest and hardworking, a great grandson of Arizona
pioneers, a DeMolay, a Mason, a Shriner, train enthusiast, enjoyed dressing up to play Santa, was
very sentimental crying at movies or when his team won or during the playing of the Star Spangled
Banner, never missed voting in an election, loved his family with all his heart and always wore a hat.
A faithful Christian and devoted believer, Jim was baptized together with Marsha, Lori, and Kimberly.
James L. Bonham passed to the spirit world on April 21, 2024, and is walking with angels.
In Jim’s honor donations may be made to:
American Arthritis Foundation
PO Box 96280
Washington DC 20090
Hospice of the Valley
1510 E. Flower Street
Phoenix, AZ 85014
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