Jim Gish passed away on October 11th at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas. He was 72 years old. It doesn’t sound long enough, but he’d be the first to say just how full those years were.

Raised alongside his sister Lana by loving parents Fay and Millie, Jim rose to athletic stardom (and still holds records) in the areas surrounding his hometown of Hooppole, Illinois. In adulthood, Jim wore many professional hats between Las Vegas and Bullhead City. He began as a card dealer, then casino manager, and finally business owner, but his real job was creating spaces where folks could cut loose and have fun.

Hot dog connoisseur, Elvis fanatic, Cubs die-hard, and lover of all chili pepper lights (the tackier, the better). Jim saw every glass half full (of Coors Light) and never met a stranger. His innate kindness and gentleness touched everyone around him, especially his wife of 33 years, Tina; his three kids, Erica, Jonathon, and JD; and his grandkids, Hailey, Josh, Hunter, and Hunter.

We’ll be holding a private gathering with immediate family to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Humane Society of Mohave County in Jim’s honor. Please feel free to share some love for Jim in the comments below, and raise a Coors Light to him tonight. Just make sure the mountains are blue.