J. James Eidel was born in Poughkeepsie, New York on July 3, 1936, passing away in
Carson City, Nevada on August 26, 2022.
He is survived by his wife Alicia, children Marc and Eve as well as six grandchildren.
He received his BS from the University of Arizona and MS from UCLA in Mining and Economic Geology. He enjoyed a career in exploration mineral geology and contributed to the discovery of mines in Arizona and Australia of Copper, Molybdenum, and Nickel. He ended as principal geologist for the famous University of Illinois Champaign Urbana Department of Geology, publishing and authoring over 30 scientific articles, principally on a purposed ultra-deep
drill hole project. His work with Hanna Mining co, Phelps Dodge and British Petroleum led him to the back country as far as Peru, Saskatchewan, New Guinea and Australia.
After retiring he collaborated with the University of Nevada Reno Department of Biology as a master bander for over a decade. He cofounded the Great Basin Bird Observatory and is past president of the Lahontan Audubon.
His love for the outdoors has led him to so many faraway places, also to photography, wildlife painting and writing. His recent unpublished book “In Quest of a Personal God” is certainly one of his last treasures.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 3:00pm at St. Teresa’s of Avila Catholic Church 3000 N. Lompa Lane, in Carson City. A Viewing will be held at 2:00PM prior to service. And a Fellowship Reception will follow the Mass.
Arrangements are in the trusted care of Autumn Funerals & Cremation