James "Jim" Bubash

James (Jim) Bubash passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026 where the natural beauty of the Peak Fall Foliage grandeur in the North Carolina Mountains enveloped the day.

Jim’s tenacious 2 ½ year cancer battle ended in the comfort of his home, his Happy Place, with Kathy, his wife of 36 years and his Corgis, Fudge and Spice at his bedside.

Family members, friends and Hospice nurses offered care and support during his final three weeks.

A competitor until the end, Jim shared that he was most proud that he continued to golf through his pain and lowered his Handicap to a 9. And he scored a Hole-In-One!

Born March 12, 1956 in Natrona Heights, PA to the late James and Patricia Bubash, Jim was the spunky younger brother to Jayce (Bill) Jones of Singer Island, Florida and the older brother to Judy (Mick) Tridico of Mansfield, Ohio. Uncle to Michael and Sophia Tridico, Jim was preceded in death by nephew Sammy Tridico.

Growing up in Crestline, Ohio, Jim’s early country-living adventures on Colby Road morphed into his daring personality and quest for fun and adventure. From challenges like butting heads with Billy the Goat to being wrapped head-to-toe in Calamine Lotion and bandages due to full-body poison ivy, to teasing and chasing his six female cousins, life was never dull with Jim around.

Jim attended St. Joseph’s Parochial Grade School in Crestline, Ohio and graduated from Crestline High School in 1974, where he was easily recognized by his “Fro” hairstyle.

Following his Military Service in the United States Army at both Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Jim joined his sister Jayce in Phoenix, Arizona where he discovered a new playground for outdoor activities and adventures.

With inherited athletic abilities from his father, Jim honed his golf skills in the desert while conquering snow-skiing in the mountains. Jim effortlessly danced through the powder, twisted over the moguls, and carved through the trees, be it on two skis or on his unique monoski.

Camping, kayak fishing and dumpster diving were some of his favorite past-times as well.

Jim dabbled in Hang-gliding and Mountain biking, and it was on a Cancer Fundraiser Bicycle Ride from Tucson to Phoenix in 1986 that he met Kathy, a red-headed, athletic midwesterner from Illinois. Kathy’s willingness to learn new skills from Jim and her own competitive nature to challenge him, was a match made in Heaven. Jim proposed to Kathy 3 years later on The Best Dam Bike Ride. How could she resist his striking Paul Newman blue eyes?

Jim and Kathy both hired into the United States Postal Service in Arizona in 1988, retiring 30 years later. His caring nature was displayed whether he was sharing a cooler full of freshly-picked grapes from local growers, or his big batch of home-made Ceviche during the Holidays. Known as a jokester at work, Jim’s co-workers decorated his retirement cake with his favorite saying “It Just Doesn’t Matter”.

Following retirement, Jim and Kathy purchased their dream home in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina where the beauty of their journey continued in a golf/ski community.

Known for his welcoming demeanor and cooking skills, Jim will be missed by many and remembered as the Ultimate Host.

Cremation will be followed by a Memorial Service at Jim and Kathy’s home on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657

Beam Tri-County Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the care of the Bubash family.