With a dagger through our hearts, we suffer the unjust passing of James from a drug overdose.  James arrived after midnight on the heels of a thunderstorm in Hollywood, Florida and left North Vancouver, BC sadly neglected, addicted, with no one by his side sometime in March of 2024.

James grew up in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando but mostly barefoot in the Florida Keys.  He was a brilliant yet bashful kid, his intricate artwork shown in the Orlando Museum of Art at age 5.   A prolific reader, at 10 he was reading thick books in 1 or 2 days.  He excelled at soccer and was a master of his own hand-painted shell armies.  He was a caring big brother to Justin and loved animals, volunteering for years at the Key West SPCA but mostly he was a lizard lover, whisperer extraordinaire.  He started earning a living at the young age of 10, detailing fly-fishing boats in Little Torch Key, FL. 

Moving back home to North Vancouver in 2010, James started Grade 8 at Windsor High School where he continued to work hard in restaurants and at a cabinet refinishing shop, going to Carson Graham briefly for chef training. He went on to BCIT after receiving a high school scholarship for sheet metal.  However, failure of our systems to help with his mental health struggles led to teenage addiction and at age 19 he was told he was unfit for work by a social worker.  His life derailed, he spiraled into heavy addiction with no social or professional supports, continually let go when in need of mental health care.  The cracks James fell through were devastating, life-altering crevasses.

James will be thoroughly missed by his younger brother Justin Walton (Lisa), his mother Heather Fowler (Rob), his aunt and uncle John and Joy Russell, cousins Nick Russell (Jeanie) and Keith Russell (Linea), his grandma Barb Jones in Englewood, FL and his one true love, Naomi Kennedy.  He is now with his Grandma Donna Fowler and his Frost Dragon, mischievously smiling down on us.

His Mom wants to thank all his friends in Vancouver and in Florida who loved him for the unique, kind, understated and shy guy he was, for getting his quick killer wit and always wanting the best for him despite his own personal demons.  I want to thank all his teachers who believed in him and a huge shout out to all the “Moms” in the community that helped raise him as he tried to find his way.  From the bottom of my heart, to his entire extended family, thanks for being there for my son James.

A Celebration of James’ Life will be held on August 16th 2025 from 3-5PM at 2041 Parkhurst Rd in North Vancouver, BC. In honour of James’ Floridian roots, please wear your favourite tropical attire!

James’ obituary is online at: www.asimplecremation.ca   We encourage you to post memories and pics.

 Carry On My Wayward Son.  Let your troubled soul fly high.  For you are now a free bird.