Jim Burson, a dedicated volunteer with Amicalola Falls State Park and a 1959 thru-hiker, passed away on April 21 at the age of 71. In retirement, his goal was to share the wonders of the A.T. and the outdoors with others, especially children growing up without a connection to the natural world. The book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder affected him deeply and reinforced his commitment to make a difference in the lives of young people. Working as a volunteer naturalist at Amicalola Falls State Park, he helped kids enjoy experiences similar to those he had taken for granted as a young boy.
Jim was the primary force behind the the park’s annual A.T. Celebration. Each year, he invited hikers to speak about their journeys, yet seldom talked about his own pioneer thru-hike or subsequent experiences as an A.T. section-hiker. An exceptionally modest man, he preferred to put the spotlight on others.
Jim assisted ATC by providing numbers from the Amicalola Falls register to improve data on the number of thru-hike starters. He also served as President of the Friends of Amicalola Falls State Park and on the board of Georgia State Parks.
Comments:
Anonymous @ 4/23/2010 3:50:28 PM
Jim was passionately dedicated to helping ensure that those in the next generation would come to know and love the A.T. as he did. He was a man of great integrity and an inspiring example to the A.T. community of "giving back." So many of us lament that kids today do not have the opportunity to get out in the woods as we did growing up, but he really did something about it.
It was a privilege to have known Jim. We will miss him a great deal.
Dick & Laurie Potteiger
Anonymous @ 4/23/2010 5:12:51 PM
Jim was a true friend to the A.T. An inspiring, always warm,friend who will be greatly missed. Thank you for all your passion that you passed on to others, Jim.
Julie Judkins
Anonymous @ 4/24/2010 7:02:38 AM
I got to know Jim at Amicalola Falls. I often went to him for advice about general hiking & backpacking gear & techniques. He was always willing to help me as well as others as a Ranger and as a Volunteer. For years he was the face of Amicalola Falls to me and I will miss him greatly.
Lanier Deal
Anonymous @ 4/25/2010 6:38:53 AM
Jim's passing leaves a giant hole in my hiker heart. I will miss this special person, who also happens to be my friend.
J.R. "Model-T" Tate
Anonymous @ 4/25/2010 11:49:13 AM
I will miss you, Jim. Trips to Amicalola will won't be the same without your welcoming voice and friendly smile.
David Miller
Anonymous @ 4/25/2010 4:31:59 PM
Even in our brief conversations, Jim's kindness and generosity shined through. Although we never met in person, I felt as though I knew Jim. My heart goes out to his family and Trail family.
Anonymous @ 4/26/2010 8:57:50 AM
I miss Jim already. Luckily I had the privilege of speaking with him two days before he passed away.
He was a wonderful, caring soul. A very gentle man. He was wonderful as our President of the Friends of Georgia State Parks group at Amicalola. He definitely had a passion for the outdoors.
I will always have a place for him in my heart.
Anita Roush
Anonymous @ 4/26/2010 9:21:01 AM
Jim Burson was an incredible man. He had a passion for many things whether it was his family, his churrch, gardening, or hiking...teaching or demonstrating, he gave it his all. Amicalola Falls was many times blessed to have had Jim as a volunteer, as President of our Friends group, and as a member of the board of the State Friends organization. Jim's love of the AT was legion, and his tireless efforts on behalf of so many will long be remembered. Memories are almost better than pictures...they don't yellow with age and can be with you in a heartbeat....and my memories of Jim will be happy ones!
Anonymous @ 4/26/2010 6:17:29 PM
Jim personified gentility and kindness. You couldn't help but like him.
We met at Amicalola Falls when he called me to come down for programs there, and what a delightful to work with, considerate, thoughtful, a glint of humor in his eye. Amicalola and the Trail lost a true friend.
What J.R. said: "Jim's passing leaves a giant hole in my hiker heart." Well said, Model T.
Anonymous @ 5/10/2010 7:37:16 PM
Kathy and Arliss Brigman,
Jim was a true Friend and everyone who knew him loved, admired and respected him. Jim was our mentor in becoming involved with the Friends of Amicalola Falls. He instilled his own passion for nature in others and shared his knowledge, experience and love of the outdoors with everyone he met. Jim recommended that we read the book Last Child In The Woods and it inspired us to become dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. Jim touched so many lives in so many ways and was always a humble being about things he had accomplished. We have fond memories of our trip with Jim and Barbara to Roan Mt., Tenn. and we enjoyed our special times with them both. Jim was a wonderful Christian witness and shared his faith and love of his family with others. Jim was a kind, loving and generous man and we miss him every day and will hold our memories in our hearts forever.