James Douglas “Jim” Pauletich
June 20, 1941 – Firestone, Colorado
October 27, 2025 – Plant City, Florida
It’s the time between the dash that made the journey worth it.
Jim grew up in a family of three brothers, a childhood that gave way to mischief and adventure. In his youth, he roamed the sandy streets of Firestone and later Denver Colorafo. He was a natural with all animals, rehabilitated owls and squirrels, and developed a lifelong love of the night sky. With his brothers beside him, he ice raced, waterskied before sunrise, and snowmobiled the mountains they called home.
At 18, Jim joined the United States Navy, crossed the equator, and served aboard the USS Coral Sea before Vietnam was declared a war. He later reenlisted in the Naval Reserves and, after moving to Florida, transitioned to the United States Coast Guard Reserves, where he proudly served and ultimately retired.
Jim was introduced to Carolee in California, and they married in 1962. He deeply loved his wife. When she passed in 2010, not a day went by that he didn’t say her name. Together, they moved to Colorado and began building their family and a life rooted in curiosity, creativity, and travel.
Jim developed an extraordinary talent for model building—remote-controlled airplanes with five-foot wingspans, six-foot submersible submarines, and award-winning, historically accurate WWII aircraft. His attention to detail grew into an expansive knowledge of military history. After his Navy service, Jim found work with Trans World Airlines, which opened the world to him and Carolee. From Alaska to Italy, they saw it all.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Laurie and Heather; their families—Troy and Emily, Dennis and Andrew; his younger brother, Rodger; and extended family including Isabel, Matt, Ashley, Sarah, and Jeremiah, along with nieces, nephews, and adopted grandkids. He also leaves behind cherished cousins, Linda and Albert Albrandt. Jim’s friends—many of whom became family—held a special place in his heart. A gracious and generous Disney host to any willing to keep up the pace, he kept his Annual Pass current until the end.
Baptized later in life, Jim prayed often. He listened when the Lord spoke and bent when the Lord asked. Words cannot fully capture the dash between the dates, but he will be deeply missed—for his silliness, passion, made-up songs and words, mismatched clothes, and unfiltered love of life. Jim always said, “I like me,” and he truly embodied the meaning of Forever Young.
Gonna miss you, Dad. I’ll miss gossiping with you, football games, and fried bread.
I never told you enough. You were right—about everything.
