James "Jim" Steven Christoferson

Always exceptionally affectionate, generous, and loving, Jim was born the definition of a Friday's Child in Duluth, Minnesota, on July 16, 1948. He was the youngest of three boys born to William and Angeline Christoferson. Raised in Duluth, Jim began his career in radio at age 14, operating a pirate radio station from a 2-transistor radio in his bedroom and swapping 10-inch tapes of religious shows every Sunday morning on KAOH AM in Duluth.

In high school at Duluth Central, Jim was active in journalism and worked as a waiter at the Pickwick Restaurant & Pub while dreaming of becoming a full-time Disc Jockey in college. Even though they grew up just miles apart, it was not until college at the University of Minnesota Duluth when A Guy Like Jim noticed the Girl in the Pink Sweater. This was when the Story of Jim and Pamela Anne Christoferson began to unfold. On June 27, 1970, their first beautiful chapters began when Jim married Pam and embarked on their faithful and Christ-filled lifetime adventure.

Continuously driven, Jim was a major market DJ in California by the time he was 25, a radio manager at 30, and a radio station owner by 40. His strong entrepreneurial spirit led to many broadcasting endeavors, awards, and accolades. While those things fulfilled him professionally, his true passion was building a strong family with his wife and raising his five children.

Throughout their 47-year marriage, Jim's career in radio took the couple from Duluth to Ft. Worth, to Los Angeles, Monterey, and back to Texas. Amidst all the moves, Jim's charm and self-deprecating humor allowed him to make lifelong friends in each of those cities. Jim and Pam established roots in Abilene and built a home where they raised their family for the last 38 years.

Whether it was managing a radio station, establishing one of his own, serving on countless non-profit boards across Abilene, reading the voice of God at Easter Mass, acting as Eucharistic minister at Holy Family Catholic Church, or attending countless baseball, football, volleyball, debates, concerts, or plays for all those he loved, Jim was the true embodiment of a businessman, family man and servant leader.

Jim's hobbies included reading, walking Maggie endless miles, talking creative with his kids, working on his podcasts, Radio…What Happened? and The Fumbling C's, fantasy football, continuing his work at the Delta Group, helping to plan his high school reunions with friends and fellow Trojans, and endless hours of Beatles Trivia. Jim worked tirelessly to serve his clients, friends, and family. A devoted father, Jim would humbly boast his proudest accomplishment was raising his five children alongside Pam.

He left this earth after a day of laughter, hope, and contentment. Jim is survived and forever missed by his daughter Jennifer Christoferson and partner Robert Olson; son James and wife Lee-Douglass Christoferson; daughter Melissa and husband Christopher Hawn; daughter Patricia and husband Jeff Dressen; son William and wife Laura Christoferson; and grandchildren Jacob and Allie Zindler, Joshua, Lucy, and Samuel Hawn, Kelton Tobin, JR and Kate Dressen, and Brooks Christoferson. He is also survived by his brothers Ole and Bill, their spouses Maureen and Kathy, and in-laws Peter, Kit, Debbie, Mary, and Judy. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Angeline, and his loving and faithful spouse, Pamela.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you for the gentle support and love so many have generously offered these last four months. A very special thank you is expressed to Jim's friends at the Delta Group, Townsquare Media, Cumulus Broadcasting, and the amazing care and direction received from Carl, Leticia, and Deanna at Lincare, as well as Shandra Oden and the excellent staff and friends at Kinder Hearts Home Health and Hospice.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Abilene with Rev. Msgr. Frederick Nawarskas co-officiating, directed by Elliot-Hamil Family Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's name may be made to The Abilene Arts Alliance, 1101 North 1st Street, Abilene, TX, 79601, The Salvation Army, 1726 Butternut, Abilene, TX 79602, or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

While Jim's passing was unexpected and devastating for all who loved him, he would encourage us not to grieve; but instead to say a prayer, put on a favorite record and sing along or simply call a loved one to check-in. Thanks for listening; we’re signing off for now till we see him again.