James "Jimmy" W. DeMell, of Black Hawk, died unexpectedly on Friday, June 11, 2021.  He died of natural causes at the age of 61.  Jimmy was born June 18, 1959, in Richmond, California.

Jimmy worked most of his life in the culinary field.  He started as a prep cook and worked his way up to Executive Chef.  Jimmy had an ability to communicate and relate to a wide array of people regardless of their age or background.

The Peppermill Corporation recognized that in Jimmy and soon had him traveling the United States to open new restaurants.  Later he helped in the various care and retirement homes when he worked with their nutrition programs.  He often engaged in deep conversations sharing his infectious smile with all those he helped.

Jimmy was well known for his friendliness, helpfulness, and great generosity.  When in his company, you felt like the only person in the universe as he excelled in making deep personal connections with those around him.

He had many passions, number one being the love of our Lord.  Jimmy was a very intricate and artistic man, likely inheriting his craft talents from his mother, Evelyn. He excelled in many forms of art including music, photography, sketching and his written word. He sometimes was a solitary man who would spend time using his crafts as forms of self-reflection and personal growth.

When Jimmy passed, he was received by our Lord and greeted by all those that loved him.

He is survived by his daughter, Jessie; his granddaughter, Charley; his sister's, Christine, and Deborah; and brother, David; stepbrother, Ken Welch; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn E. Welch, her husband and the man Jimmy recognized as his father, Ray Richard Welch.

All friends and family are invited to the Hayward Cemetery, July 31, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate Jimmy's life