James D. Nims, Jr.

James D Nims, Jr, 80 of Watertown left this earth early Monday morning, January 26,2026 at home in Watertown, NY after a long fight again kidney failure. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Born on June 26th,1945 in Depauville, NY, He was the only child of James D Nims, Sr and Grace Denesha. The family moved to Fulton NY in 1955.  James graduated from Fulton High School in Fulton Ny in 1963, and attended Clarkson College, in Potsdam majoring in Chemical Engineering.

Drafted in his senior year at Clarkson, Jim was sent to Vietnam in 1968 where he was assigned to the 551st Light Maintenance Company and attached to 11th Cavalry Regiment. As many veterans of the Vietnam Conflict, Jim had a difficult time returning to normal life at home. Upon returning home, he bought himself a car and took off, slowly exploring the entire USA

During that trip, he met Edith (Edie) Ivory. They were married in St Petersburg, Fl, on Jan 14, 1972 and remained in Florida for their first 2 years of marriage.

IN 1974, Jim returned with his wife to his family hometown of Clayton, NY, where the couple lived for 1 year, before moving to Watertown, NY where he began working at Fort Drum, then Camp Drum, first as a temporary coal tender, then at Post Ammo before settling into his permanent job as a Managerial Accountant. He retired in 2005.

Jim is survived by his wife, Edith with whom he celebrated his 54th anniversary on Jan 14. He is also survived by his son James D Nims III  (Sabrina Durham), Lafargeville, NY, and his daughter, Elissa M Keruskie, Delmar, NY.  He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Taylor Nims, Aidan Nims, Aurora Nims, and Theodore (Tej) Nims, Eliza Keruskie, and Jacob Keruskie. He death has been a great loss to his loving family.

He was predeceased by his parents, James D Nims Sr and Grace Denesha Nims.

Jim was always exuberant about life in the North Country. His main love was Clayton and the St Lawrence River, where his best friends were his many cousins. He spent much time on the river boating and fishing. He also enjoyed hunting from his family’s camp near Barnes Corners, and was a frequent visitor to the Nature Center on Wellesley Island.

Jim also enjoyed being a Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop A at Holy Family Church.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the Erin Birchenough, the nurses, and staff at Nephrology Associates in Watertown, and the staff of Hospice especially Shawn Smiley, who drove through a snow squall to get to us, Tammy, and Brittany for their compassionate caring and empathy during this trying time.

At Jim’s request there will be no funeral or calling hours. Arrangements have been made for cremation through D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Ashes will be scattered in the warmer months and a celebration of Jim’s life will be  held at the family’s discretion.

Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com

Donations in Jim’s name may be made Hospice of Jefferson County, or Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County, Inc.

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