James Frank Gill, 75, of Roswell, NM passed surrounded by family and loved ones on March 16, 2024 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born on June 16, 1948 to Walter Lee Gill and Iola McCombs Gill in Clovis, NM.
Jim’s roots in the community were deep from birth as the fourth generation of Roswell Seed Company, and he made them even stronger through a lifetime of being the heartbeat of the entire Southeastern New Mexico community. He was a master storyteller with a unique ability to connect past with present, sowing seeds of wisdom and levity in conversations that ranged from agriculture advice to reliving past shenanigans. Sometimes it was hard to tell what part was the wisdom and what was the levity, but that was the magic of having a conversation with Jim Gill.
“Blackeye” Jim officially started his Roswell Seed career earning a quarter for sweeping the floor at eight years old. He demonstrated his business acumen early, saving his quarters to run down the street to Ginsberg’s music store to buy a Buddy Holly record. Jim was a Cub Scout, and although he didn’t know it at the time, his Den Mother would later become his mother-in-law. Later in his adolescent years, he could be found dragging Main in his old Plymouth with his cousin Doug, when he wasn’t playing saxophone in the Roswell High School Band.
After graduating Roswell High School in 1966, Jim’s agricultural heritage formalized with his Aggie education at New Mexico State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Agricultural Engineering. His time at NMSU was spent participating in ROTC, the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and engaging in non-publishable shenanigans with his fellow Aggies. His participation in the Physical Science Lab (PSL) Program provided funding for his schooling along with rich experiences in satellite tracking, scuba diving, and surfing across the Philippines, Hawaii, and White Sands Missile Range. He took to the skies in 1969 with his pilot’s license and later lamented that he wasn’t cut out to be a pilot because “no one wanted to fly with him twice.”
After graduation, Jim went to work at the 3C FeedLot near Hagerman. Though he later earned his MBA at Eastern New Mexico University, he cited his time at the feedlot as teaching him foundational business skills in addition to feeding thousands of cows daily.
Thanks to matchmaking from Phil Messick and his wife Donna, and a little coaxing from Shirley Brabham, Jim Gill attended a country dance party on November 12, 1981. The two acquaintances were brought together for what would be over 40 years of marriage, starting with walking down the aisle at NMMI Chapel on April 10, 1982. The two welcomed their first daughter, Jamie Beth, on July 2, 1984, and their second daughter, Emily Renee, on November 14, 1989. They’ve since lived in a home built by Gordon Patton (cousin Betty’s husband), and yes it’s still standing.
Throughout the years, the Gill Family could be found driving through Roswell fields inspecting how the seeds of the fourth-generation family business were flourishing. As a proud dad, he would be on the sidelines, fields, courts, and stages of sports and musical activities across town for his girls. Jim understood success extended beyond academics and spent time coaching Roswell Youth Basketball alongside Jim Young when their girls wanted to play (even though neither had played themselves) and presided over the Goddard High School Band for four years as Booster President.
But his support didn’t stop there–anyone who has walked by Roswell Seed can see decades-long sponsorships for school kids across the area. If a Girl Scout walked in the door, Jim would shout “Peanut Butter Box is here” and buy a whole case of cookies. Beyond Roswell, Jim’s avid support of the 4H & FFA youth programs stretched across all of Eastern New Mexico.
Jim was a man of many projects. When he wasn’t welding or tinkering on his Jeep before Jeep Jamborees, he would build housing for the farm animals around the Gill country home. Upon meeting his bride-to-be, he had the parts of a motorcycle that he intended to build sprawled out across his living room. Shirley never had to worry about him riding it, though, because she knew he wouldn’t put it together for years to come. Well, on Jim’s 60th birthday, Shirley decided to surprise him with one that was actually put together - much to their dear friend Betty Young’s chagrin and Jim Young’s delight, as she had said he couldn’t get a motorcycle until Jim Gill got one. Following suit, Betty broke down and allowed her hubby to have a motorcycle.
Jim was known to say, “I’d rather walk a planted field than stroll along a beach.” True to his passion, he taught children’s beekeeping classes for 16 years and was a superintendent of the garden vegetable division of the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. He never liked being in the spotlight but his contributions were too notable to go unmentioned. Jim is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Roswell Rotary, former President of New Mexico Seedsmen’s Association and Southern Seed Association, served as Board Member of the Historical Society of Southeast New Mexico, and received the Roswell Outstanding Leader award. Jim was deeply rooted as the ENM State Fair Produce Superintendent and was the 2021 Grand Marshall of RNM State Fair Parade. Jim was the definition of integrity, doing the right thing when no one was watching with humility that didn’t expect recognition.
Jim is survived by his wife Shirley Brabham Gill, his daughters Jamie Beth Gill and Emily Gill Manatt, her husband Benjamin F. Manatt and their son Henry James Manatt. His pups Gus and Heidi, four miniature donkeys, grandpup Nash, and grandcat Simon. He is survived by his brother Walter, his wife Vanda and their children John & Jennifer and their families. His sister-in-law Brenda and her son Josh (who referred to Jim as “Bubba”) and daughter Cristy O’Connor, her husband Don and their three children; brother-in-law Danny (also “Bubba”) and his wife Debbie and their children Heather and Bryan.
To continue the celebration of Jim Gill’s legendary life, friends and family will gather at Grace Community Church for a service at 11:00 on Friday March 22. Jim will be laid to rest at South Park Cemetery. If you’re a New Mexico Aggie, you are encouraged to wear New Mexico Aggie color or swag.
To continue his storytelling legacy, you are invited to share Jim memories and stories in the box at Roswell Seed or at the service. In lieu of flowers, the Gills ask that his love for the community grow with donations directed to the Roswell Historical Society and the Roswell Humane Society.
Pallbearers | Phil Messick, Eric Glover, Bill Sloan, John Noble, Gar Thornton
Honorary Pallbearers | Josh Morrow, Danny Brabhams, Bill Jones, Bob Entrop, Kent Henderson, Randy Barnes, Rick Stransky, Jim Manatt, Rob Manatt, Doug Burkstaller, Phil Cathy & The Tips Club
James A "Jim" White
I have known life long Roswellite, JIM GILL, since we were toddlers. Jim, Bill Sloan, Mardi Gonyea and I were in the same Sunday School class at the First Christian Church growing up. Our parents were friends. Jim was a nice fellow and no one ever said anything bad about him. Although we did not run around together a lot, we were always friends and I know Jim was highly respected in Roswell. It makes me sad to lose a good one like Jimmy.
Doris Flood (Burton)
Jim (Jimmy as I knew him) and I were friends from elementary school. We lived one block from each other (me on one side of Missouri Avenue and Jim on the other. We played many times as children. I seem to remember that our parents were friends as I remember playing in the yard at Jimmy's house until my mother's passing at age 10 when my world changed drastically. Jim was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Always reliable and a hard worker. Our condolences to to Shirley and his family.
Michaele Austin (Kelly)
I'm so saddened hearing about Jim's passing. We were classmates through school starting at Missouri Avenue School. The fondest memory of him was when our class was all invited to hunt Easter eggs on year (3rd or 4th grade) at his house across the street. What a great time we all had! He was always so nice to everyone and he will be missed by all who knew him. Thoughts and prayers for his family at this time.
Karen Moore (Wilson)
I send all my sympathies to Jim's Family. Betty McCombs Patton let me know he was here in Albuquerque in the Heart Hospital. Jim was her cousin. Alot of sadness in her family. Love to all!!
William Samuel "Bill" Sloan
Jim and I became friends when we were born as our families were friends. For so many years Jim and I shared the same schools, church groups, Demolay Chapter, and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at NMSU. I still remember returning to my South Jr. High 9th grade locker in January after Christmas Holidays to find Jim had pre-Christmas smashed my egg salad sandwich under the books he knew I wouldn't touch. Then in 1971 he came to visit me in San Diego County and brought a print of Peter Hurd's "The Red Pickup" as a house waming gift so I wouldn't forget what home looked like.
In all of our years of visits he was warm, welcoming and entertaining. In Jr. High we had learned from one of Roswell Seed's employees "Anyone with one good eye and 1/2 a brain cell would know better than that!" A saying I have found myself repeating several times when faced with ...."challenges."
I have grown butternut squash, Lumbre, Rattlesnake, and Big Jim chiles successfully from Roswell Seeds. I have also supported the Florida insect population by trying to grow tomato, cantaloupe, and green beans from Roswell Seeds.
I was so glad for him when his contributions to the Pecos Valley were recognized by his selection as the Grand Marshall for the Fair Parade. I am glad that in late December 2023 he was able to hold in his arms his first grandchild Henry.
Jim, I will miss you.
Scott Reeves
Jimmy was one of my DeMolay brothers. We were two of a hand picked group from the Bob Kisker Chapter to found The Rio Hondo Chapter in Roswell. I don't remember what office I held when he was Master Counselor, but we were all working our way through the chairs together. We ended up graduating from different high schools because he lived in the south part of town, and I lived in the north. But we went to DeMolay functions weekly and I think we roomed together at the Institute one year at Conclave. He and Bill Sloan and I and whoever the other one of the foursome in our room, stole a cherry pie off the window sill that was cooling outside the kitchen. When it was discovered, we all quickly started cramming pie into our mouths to hide the evidence. Later, I think that same night, we snuck off campus and went to the Hilltop Cafe for coffee. I don't think any of us had ever drunk it before. As I recall, we started out with one of us asking for cream and suger, the next one just wanting to be tougher, asked for just cream, the next just sugar. As I recall, I was the last, and I just wante mine BLACK! Then I am pretty sure it was Billy Sloan that saw that they had nickle cigars. Well, we all had to have one of those! We went back and sat in the Quadrangle and smoked them, not knowing that you don't inhale a cigar. So, we all would periodically put them out, recover, and light up again.
Shirley was part of our Campus House group at Eastern. We were all very close, but sadly, through the years we have not stayed in contact. My wife, Debbie was also a part of that group. So we send our deepest sympathy to Shirley and her family. Rest in peace my brother!
Scott Reeves
Roger Price
In school Jim and I knew who each other were but didn't run in the same crowd. Reading his obituary doesn't surprise me to see what kind of man he became.Wish I'd known him better.