Jim's lifetime passion was music. He played in brass bands in townships all over Aotearoa, from the deep south to the Wairarapa and here in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Wherever Jim went, his music went too. Music and musical performance gave him a connection to those people who also shared this passion. He loved being able to participate and perform in his community. Music was for fun and celebration, but also for sombre commemorative occasions. Jim was often called upon to play for Returned Servicemans funerals and for local Anzac services.

Jim also gave his time freely to the community, putting his hand up whenever a volunteer was sought, be it fundraising, construction of community facilities, assisting elderly residents with firewood for the winter, or creating safe pathways into the scenic reserves.  As a member of Lions International, Jim was elected to a leadership role of a large district as Governor. He faithfully served and inspired Lions all over the Bay of Plenty and Waikato to achieve even greater things within their own communities. Jim was awarded a Queens Service Medal for his service to the Opotiki Community.

Jim passed away in 2016, and his wife Robyn wanted his musical legacy to live on. His passion for encouraging young musicians has now been enabled by an endowment fund set up as a tribute and in his memory to benefit students at Opotiki College. This fund will assist students by providing access to musical tuition, instruments for loan, attendance at musical workshops and learning events, to enhance and to encourage excellence in musical understanding and performance.