James Russell ‘Jim’ Hamil or “GYM” as he spelled it when he was feeling ‘spicy’, was a beloved regional watercolor artist, father of two, and grandfather when he passed away on Friday, January 14th.  After suffering a mild stroke prior to the diagnosis and removal of a ganglion cyst on his brain in 2013, Jim eventually lost his battle with dementia and passed peacefully while in the care of Brookdale Hospice of Overland Park.  Though it was a struggle, Jim made it a point to continue painting and encouraged efforts to preserve his legacy by participating in gallery showings, signing numerous lithographs and giclée prints of his former works, and by giving to others.

Jim was compelled to give back (often generously) to a Kansas City arts community that made him the success that he eventually became.  He was always grateful for the commissions, but his passion was to reach out to a much larger audience.  Born in Hastings, Nebraska in 1937, Jim’s father was a journalist, and the family moved to New York City and later to Lincoln, Nebraska and then St. Louis, Missouri, before settling in the Kansas City area in the early 1950s where Jim graduated from Shawnee Mission (now North) High School in 1954 and begin studies in art and art education at the University of Kansas that following fall semester.

Within a week of graduation from KU in 1958, Jim had an interview and an offer with Hallmark and was, in all terms ‘gainfully employed’ as an artist in their stylist department. With around 100 women and a smattering of men - if asked Dad would’ve claimed he was already in heaven by then.

While still employed at Hallmark, in 1972 Dad opened his own studio/gallery near the corner of 45th and State Line (1915 W 45th) under the auspice of “American Legacy Gallery”.  By 1973, Jim made a break from his 15-year stint at Hallmark Cards, due to contractual issues.  In 1975, Jim and his father, J. Harold Hamil, who served as writer and editor, would introduce Farmland USA (Lowell Press).  Harold, who had retired from Farmland Industries as Sr. VP and was then a KC City Councilman, said in the book’s liner notes, “All (works) have been translated into a beautifully expressive form of art that every American can understand and appreciate.” This was the legacy of J.R. Hamil.

Hamil’s second book, Return to Kansas (1984, Southwind Press), written by Sharon Hamil, his wife of 40 years who preceded him in death in 2016, was to become a seminole representation of his studio work.  Recognized by then Senator Bob Dole, this was a collection of work that truly reflected the austere beauty of the place he called home.

Jim and Sharon would publish their 3rd book, Colorado Treasures in 2010 (Lowell Press) where the jewels of this mountain state would cascade off the pages through Jim’s brushwork.  Many of these representations showed the confidence and fidelity to Jim’s craftsmanship honed over his 50 year career in painting since graduating KU in 1958.

Jim was equally involved with workshops and gallery shows until 2020.  He found that workshops were the best venue to share his many ’stories’ regarding brushes with celebrities and would include stories behind each and every one of his works whenever possible.  What he would refer to as his greatest accomplishment, however, was in sharing this talent through workshops with younger generations at local public schools for well over three decades. Jim was quoted as saying, “I’m very lucky that my work...allows me to share the many beautiful things of this world with others.  Many people have told me that they gain new appreciation of their surroundings through my art."

As a resident of Comfort Care Homes (OP) since October of 2020, Jim became more limited in his desire to create work, but he loved spending lunches with his assistant, Melanie Werner, when she could arrange an appointment.  A huge debt of gratitude to Melanie and to Connie Fahey and Fahey Case Management for providing Dad with Jen and the rest of her crew when needed to execute plans for stealing him away for a day at the art gallery (with lunch to follow).  Thanks to the many friends who offered cards of hope during these last few years and a huge thanks to those who made it a point to visit when they finally could.  Dad loved you all. -ACH

J.R. ‘Jim’ Hamil was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mabel Hamil, formerly of NKC, brother David Hamil of Taos, NM and Las Vegas, NV who passed in 2020. Jim is survived by his two sons, Andrew James Hamil and Alexander Christian Hamil, both of Kansas City, and his granddaughter Lydia Rae Greenwalt-Hamil, of St. Louis and Kansas City. A memorial service is planned for February 12th at Second Presbyterian Church 318 E 55th St, KCMO at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family suggests donations to Memorial contributions can be made to Second Presbyterian Church, The Johnson County Public Library, the J. Harold and Mabel Hamil Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Kansas State Historical Foundation.   Cremation Society of Kansas & Missouri, 8837 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66207, 913-383-9888. www.kccremation.com