JamieLionel Wax
June29, 1968 – March 18, 2024
Thevolunteer bluff supervisor was finally called home March 18, 2024, byhis loving wife Fiona, whom he missed so much every day. While mostfolks in Trinidad saw Jamie as a watcher of life going by, in theoffice with the most beautiful view on the West Coast, he was so muchmore.
Bornto Dianne Wilson on June 29, 1968, and adopted the next day byRichard and Laurie Wax, Jamie spent his younger years in SouthernCalifornia, moving to Humboldt County in 1988 to attend College ofthe Redwoods to study photography. His most recent pursuit landed himas the Trinidad “town therapist,” as well as keeping an eye outon the crab fleet. Jamie always had time to listen to his many“walk-up clients,” as well as working the phone for his longtimefriends and “patients.” Some people mistakenly thought Jamie washomeless, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. He owneda beautiful home just outside of town with a park-like yard that hehad always kept up for Fiona.
Jamiegrew up in Malibu with his sister Jessica. At 6 feet 5 inches tall toJessica’s 5-foot, 1-inch frame, Jamie was quick to point out thathe was adopted. But in typical Jamie fashion he used this to hisadvantage, often teasing Jessica that he was the chosen one while shewas merely an accident. It was in Malibu that Jamie made his firstlife-long friend, Tony, who coincidentally was also adopted. Togetherthey pursued fishing, surfing, motorcycle riding and all other late‘70s Southern California beach fun.
Inthe late ‘80s, when Jamie was documenting the beaches and surfingwith his black and white film career, he met his futurebrother-in-law, Dave. They both lived in Greenwood Heights inKneeland, and a 35-year friendship was born. To be on Jamie’s calllist was an honor most of the time, unless he wanted to mess with youand start the calls before 5 a.m. I was always up early, so a pre-6a.m. call was a staple for the next 30 years. “Hey, what’shappening?” A listen to the weather radio in the early morning wasthe key to which activity would be attempted that day. Surfinganywhere from Point Arena to Port Orford, mushroom hunting, fishing,or firewood cutting out east were all options.
Being6 feet, 5 and an accomplished surfer, Jamie had no problem meetinglifelong surf buddies, such as Jack, Paul, Berto and Caputo, just toname a very few. He also had a lot of fun riding motorcycles with hisyounger neighbor Steve and his cerebral friend Karl, as well asWarren and Ron, after he moved to Blue Lake.
Jamie’snext stop in the county was up Brannon Mountain, Willow Creek. Thisis where he picked up his best dog, Pepsi, and funny associate Rue.Jamie, girlfriend Exene, Pepsi and Rue all lived together at an epichouse with an inground pool and a flawless garden around the pool.Jamie made lifelong friends on Brannon Mountain, the likes of whichincluded Lionel Lee and Bill and Suzie McKelvey, as well as theMcKelvey’s boys, Luke, Travis, and Jake. (Jake also spent many dayson the bluff with Jamie, as well as being on the call list.) It wasJamie’s break up with Exene that led him to start smokingcigarettes, which was shocking to all his friends and at 25 years oldwas a hard habit to start after being so fervently anti-cigarettebefore.
TheBrannon Mountain days were the most adventurous for Jamie, withday-long 3-wheeler rides and barbecues out in the upper Three Creeksand Buck Buttes areas. A lot more firewood cutting and fishingensued. Canoeing on the river replaced surfing and many overnighterson the South Fork of the Trinity River were had. Trips out to the PitRiver and Eagle Lake in the winter scored him some epic fish. Likethe bluff in Trinidad, the Big Rock area along the Trinity became hisdaily hangout to catch up on stories and give advice.
Jamiehad been on Brannon Mountain for some time when an opportunity cameup to work at his dad’s place in St. Helena. This is where he methis comrade, Tommy. Jamie and Tommy became fast friends and wereresponsible for maintaining the 23 acres around the massive St.Helena estate. After several months of landscaping Jamie startedattending helicopter pilot school. According to Jamie, flying ahelicopter was the best roller coaster ride of your life, with youcontrolling the intensity. Through a series of unique circ*mstances,Jamie found himself moving to several different cities in SouthernCalifornia, where his occupation changed to nursery warehousedelivery driver. He rented a room from a cousin and spent most of hisoff-time perch fishing near Ventura. This is where he met the love ofhis life, Fiona. Pre-cell phone, we still had the daily call, usuallybefore 5:45 a.m. with the first quart of coffee, and an evening callaround 7 p.m. This continued until the fortunate day he was able tomove himself and Fiona to his beloved Humboldt County.
Backin Arcata, Jamie was able to introduce Fiona to his nephews, Pierceand Behren, and a multitude of friends. Jamie and Fiona were marriedin Dave and Jessica’s yard in Westhaven. This new happinessconsisted of construction work in Willow Creek as well as gettingback into the local industry. Building decks, greenhouses, andteaching Fiona how to trim, they both were able to work together forseveral years. Hina, Fiona’s niece, visited from Hong Kong aboutthis time, learning English from Uncle Jamie. One of Jamie’s mostlasting impressions on his nephew Pierce was his consumption of“nasty ice.” Three-year-old Pierce insisted on carrying a full“nasty ice” can everywhere he went. Unfortunately, the aluminumcan would weaken over time, and Jessica had to clean up manyblown-out natty ice cans at play groups, day cares, preschools, andmarkets. This was at the same time life turned dark when Fiona wasdiagnosed with a severe illness.
Overthe course of seven years Jamie was there for Fiona as she navigatedthe harsh reality of our healthcare system. During this time Jamie’smom Laurie was also fighting a chronic disease. Like a one-two punchJamie lost his mom and then his wife. After this Jamie told me he“lost his spark and passion for life.” I, along with his buddiesJoey and Kyle, got him out fishing and had wonderful days of limitson all species. But slowly Jamie even lost his passion for fishing.This is when Jamie decided to take on the responsibility of bluffsupervisor. Early morning calls worked better from the bluff than theempty front porch at home. Now his official office, the early morningcalls starting with “Hey, what’s happening?” almost alwaysstarted the day with me or “Deli John” competing to be first inline. What I wouldn’t give for one more “Hey, what’shappening?”
Onthe bluff he garnered an ever-increasing audience for some beneficialtherapy. He was a giant of a man with a heart that matched,dispensing advice, sometimes uncomfortable, delivered from the frontseat of his black Toyota with the American flag on the antennae.Looked out for by so many in the community: Dorothy and Danny, Ed,Tyler, Jimmy, “Deputy Diane,” Mark and Lori Chester, as well ashalf the town.
Youleft us too soon and suddenly, Jamie. I know I’ll see you on theother side when I hear “Hey, what’s happening?” followed by thecloud and swell report.
Some200 people gathered at the Trinidad bluff on March 23 to pay tributeto Jamie. Another memorial service will be held sometime this summer.
Jamiewas preceded in death by his mother Laurie, wife Fiona, GrandpaMorty, as well as Pepsi, Rue and Rue #2.
Heis survived by his father Richard (Hildegard) Wax, sister JessicaSlamkowski, brother-in-law David Slamkowski, nephews Pierce andBehren, niece Hina, birth mother Diane Wilson, two aunts and severalcousins on the East Coast.
Arrangementsthrough Ayers Family Cremation.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jamie Wax’s loved ones. TheLost Coast Outpostruns obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelineshere.
