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| Marine
wildlife photographer, James
D. Watt |
Image
#: 009903 |
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I am sure most of you have already heard that
marine life photographer James D. Watt (Jim Watt)
passed away on Thursday morning July 19th here
in Kona, Hawaii. Carlos & Margaret Eyles were
at his side along with other friends and family.
It is almost surreal that this happened. Jim was
diagnosed with lung cancer (stage 3b) almost a
year ago. He underwent rounds of chemo and strict
orders from his doctor not to leave Hawaii.
A month ago Jim stopped by our office and he was
elated because they also gave him clearance to
travel. He immediately made plans for a trip to
the Bahamas followed closely by another trip to
Bonaire. He was full of energy and life. He left
on his last two trips and enjoyed them greatly.
In our office we were wondering what happened
to Jim - usually he calls and stops by when he
comes back from his trips. I called Jim and found
out he had checked himself into the emergency room
with extreme chest pain. They found he had water
in the lungs. I made plans to visit him but before
I could he was sent home early. Great - I thought,
he's gonna be ok. The next thing I know he is back
in the hospital. It just happened so quick from
this point on. His wife Jody and friends Carlos & Margaret
were by his side constantly. Doug, Masa & I
all visited him but he tired very easily at this
point.
I saw Jim on Monday afternoon in intensive care
- I said my goodbye then; it was very emotional
for you could clearly see that the tide had changed.
I had to fly to Oahu the next day for an operation
of my own, so that was the last time I saw Jim.
Jim died peacefully on Thursday morning - Carlos
said it was a powerful moment and Jim had finally
accepted the next adventure ahead of him.
Sunday about 35 of his friends and family went
out on a boat and slipped his ashes into the sea
- the place Jim was most at home. The ocean was
covered with flowers and the spinner dolphins stopped
by to say goodbye I will always think of JIm whenever
we go on the water for that is where his spirit
lived the most.
Anyone who would like to donate please make a
check out to the Kona Hospital Foundation. The
money collected will be used to put Jim's photos
on the very empty walls of the Kona Hospital. Jim
really appreciated the kind effort of all the hospital
staff. You are welcome to send the checks to our
office - we will pass them on to the proper people.
As for Jim's company and Jim's photos - they will
continue to live on. Jim has passed the running
of OceanStock.com to me. Jim asked that I go through
the 100,000 raw images he has on file, take over
his photo requests and agents. I plan on processing
his images and submitting them to all. The money
collected is to go for his 14 year old daughter's
(Jenny) education fund.
Jim was a great creative mind but organization
was not his strong point. It will take a bit of
time for Masa and I to go through his computer
and files and get control of his website, emails,
etc. Please have patience with us while we get
it together over here. We will be uploading high
res images of Jim's for whoever needs them. Please
direct anyone needing Jim's images for any use
to us - please put "OceanStock" in the
subject line.
All of us here at SeaPics.com will greatly miss
Jim. Jim would always stop by for a cup of coffee
- then stay for few hours chatting with us. He
would come back and enthrall us with stories of
his latest adventures. He would bring his photos
by and give us a step by step narration. He would
update us on the latest gadget - I still can't
believe that JIm won't be bouncing in with the
Apple iPhone - I know he would have loved it. When
we were out on the water, we would always call
each other and pass information back and forth
and then try to meet up for a chat, lunch or champagne.
Yes, Jim will be greatly missed.
