James "Jim" Gordon Headley

James "Jim" Gordon Headley, September 17, 1952 – June 19, 2025

Jim lived his life guided by the words of his favorite hockey player, Wayne Gretzky: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” Those who knew Jim recognized his genius for envisioning the end result—whether it was the outcome of a project, the mechanics of a machine, or, indeed, where the puck was headed.

After a courageous three-year battle with lymphoma, Jim passed away peacefully at his home in Silverthorne, Colorado, on June 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. At the age of 72, he earned his place in heaven, leaving behind a legacy of hope, determination, and love.

Born on September 17, 1952, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Jim was the eldest son of the late Hayden and Doris (Stevenson) Headley. He is survived by his siblings Don (Tricia), Larry (Marcia), Jeff (Pam), and Marybeth Chassé (Bill). Jim attended Holy Cross Elementary, O’Rafferty High, and Lansing Catholic Central High School, where he met his high school sweetheart, Emily. Their love story spanned 51 years of marriage, beginning on May 17, 1974, in Lansing, Michigan. That October, they moved to Colorado, where Jim’s passion for the mountains took root during a boys’ ski trip years earlier.

Jim was a devoted father to Alex (Rachel), Nick, Jamilee Coen (Tim), and Daniel (Tara Johnson). His greatest joy, however, was being “Papa” to his grandchildren: Hayden, Hudson, Barclay, Archer, Emmett, Jude, Owen, Kate, Rhaelyn, and Alexandra. Jim cherished sharing stories, adventures, and handfuls of cashews with them. His extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends will forever cherish his warmth and wisdom.

A second-generation hockey player, Jim’s love for the game was infectious. As a founding parent of Summit Youth Hockey, he coached, refereed, served on the board, and drove countless kids to practices and games. He was not just a hockey parent to his own children, but a “Hockey Dad” and mentor to many in the Summit County community. Jim opened the “ZL Hockey” store to outfit players and sharpen skates, ensuring everyone was ready for the ice. He loved explaining to people what the “ZL” meant; it was the original 2-digit code for the license plates for Summit County.

Beyond hockey, Jim served his community with dedication. He was a member of the Silverthorne Planning and Zoning Commission and was elected to the Town Council and served our community for over 12 years, contributing to projects like the pedestrian underpass, the Silverthorne Recreation Center, and the Pavilion. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and the Summit County Elks.

Jim’s career was as varied as his talents. From creating soft-serve treats at Tastee Freez and working on Oldsmobile’s assembly line in Lansing to moving to Colorado, he found his calling at Climax Molybdenum Mine, where he forged lasting friendships. He later worked for UPS, then as a meter reader for Public Service Company (Xcel Energy). In the digital age, Jim learned to splice fiber optics, traveling nationwide with his sons Alex and Nick to connect lines for major companies. He drove semi-trucks as an OTR trucker and later returned to Climax, operating heavy equipment in the open pit until his retirement in 2020. Even in “retirement,” Jim couldn’t stay idle, assisting his daughter Jamilee and son-in-law Tim with irrigation inspections and repairs at their landscaping business, always sporting his signature cowboy hat.

A news enthusiast, Jim read the Denver Post daily and was a walking encyclopedia, ready to answer questions on topics from geology to Summit County trivia. His grandchildren knew to turn to “Papa” when stumped, and he rarely disappointed. A true jack-of-all-trades, Jim could build anything, fix any car, and solve any problem, big or small.

Jim loved driving—whether teaching others, navigating mountain passes, or taking Emily on trucking adventures. Together in the Kenworth, they explored Death Valley and Las Vegas with their son Daniel or enjoyed leisurely drives to Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Lake for a bite and a Cuba Libre. He loved playing sports, baseball/ softball and hockey were his favorites and he played them as well as coached his children while they were growing up. He was a collector of Native American and he especially loved secondhand art, finding treasures at Habitat for Humanity or curbside, each piece a story of its own.

Jim often shared another Gretzky gem: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” His voice echoes still: “Never be afraid to shoot!”

Funeral Service A Rosary will be held at 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Service and Mass at Noon to honor Jim’s life, on July 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 89 Smith Ranch Rd., Silverthorne, CO 80498. A celebration of life will follow the interment at 3:00 PM at the Silverthorne Pavilion, 400 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne, CO 80498.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Summit Youth Hockey at https://www.summithockey.org/donate.

To support Jim’s family during this time, a memorial fund has been established at https://gofund.me/5d9ed291.

Jim’s battle was hard fought; his rest well earned.