James Arnold Nickerson, III, of Underhill died February 23, 2021, with his family by his side.
Though only 27 years of age, James was a role model to many; showing all of us what it is to
live with intrepid courage, creativity, and a big open heart. This is no small thing for a person
who had to tend to their own heart their whole life.

James made his entrance September 8, 1993 when he was born in Middlebury, Vermont. His first
24-hours were full of parental bliss, only to be followed by the life threatening diagnosis of
hypoplastic left heart syndrome. His young 25-year-old parents were asked if they wanted to let
their baby die, do experimental high-risk surgery, or place him on a heart transplant list. Thus
James was welcomed to his complex world of medical decisions and the necessity to fight
tirelessly to make a half-developed heart work. This he did. Wholeheartedly. Every day of his
life.
As a child, James endured multiple hospitalizations including four major open-heart procedures
at the Children's Hospital in Boston. When he was finally off to preschool and kindergarten, his
backpack was bigger than he was, though he was insistent to carry it himself, saying, "Because
that is what you do in school!" James was always a fighter and never let the limits of his medical
condition interfere with his living. He rarely talked about his physical limitations with his peers.
For James, his years at Underhill Central Elementary School were magical. He loved his teachers
Pam Foust and Peg Dorta, who truly saw him and supported his growth. James loved learning
about "Choices and Have-Tos." At a young age, he quickly ascertained that if he got the "havetos"
out of the way, he could spend the rest of his time doing what he loved. A lesson that served
him academically for years.

As a boy, James was granted a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. As in his
nature, he waited until he was seven years old so his sister Madeline could go with him. The two
had a magical relationship. James was a loving, protective, and patient big brother to a sister he
adored. From ages eight to 16, James attended Open Hearts Camp in Great Barrington, MA, a program
and, more accurately, a loving community for children living with cardiac conditions. An annual
summer highlight for James, it was so significant that after college, he returned to be a camp
counselor, paying forward what the experience brought to his life.

James was an avid reader, especially loving adventure books. At Browns River Middle School,
he found his place in the library with Joyce Babbitt, but mostly in the music world with Dave
Tisdell. He learned to play guitar and was in the school musicals, talent shows, and plays. James
was well known for his unquestionable "show must go on" attitude, no matter how he was
feeling. More than once, he even roped his buddies into getting dressed up and taking part in a
full Blues Brothers singing and dancing performance. It was these years that saw James'
trademark fedora. He wore it everywhere!

Mount Mansfield Union High School for James was filled with more music, drama, sound and
fun. He had a great group that surrounded him with friendship each and every day. James not
only found the people who supported him, he embraced them. Teachers who inspired him
included Mr. Pillsbury, Candy Padula, Mr. Krull, Mary Bauer, Kristin Barker, Jen Botsosjorin,
Mr. Eschholtz, Mr. Richards, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Keffer. A special nod is due to Talia White who
made James so comfortable in seeking help and support in school that his initial, "No way am I
ever going to step foot into THAT class" turned into "Is it possible to take two classes with
Talia?"

These teachers had such an influence on James that he recently was a para-educator at the
Chamberlin and Edmunds Elementary Schools and online with the Burlington School District.
James loved supporting kids and helping them find the type of success he achieved so valiantly.
In the fall of 2020, James, ever dedicated to his passion, had begun a Masters Program in Special
Education at the University of Vermont.

James was an accomplished online gamer, having started at the age of five. His first game was
Pokemon which was his motivation to learn how to read in order to play. As he was unable to
participate in many endurance-based sports, the online gaming world provided a great outlet for
his competitive spirit and agile mind. He had many friends in the e-sport arena as it was a big
part of his life. Up to his final days, gaming was on his mind as he was trying to express his
concern that his dad might not know how to download a new game he had pre-purchased.
James received a bachelor of arts degree in film studies and marketing in 2016 from Baldwin-
Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. Anyone who knew James appreciated that he was a walking,
breathing database of film industry knowledge. From writing and directing his own films to
understanding the depth of the craft, James could readily name films and their directors,
composers, cinematographers and more.

James was the director of Covered Porch Theater Camp for four years and theatrical director at
Spruce Peak Arts Greek Mythology Camp. His patience and care gave his kids confidence to be
able to perform after only one week of camp. He listened to these young people, heard their
voices and created space for them to shine.

Soon after his college graduation, James was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and
underwent two years of chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. Late in 2020, he again became
ill and was diagnosed with diffuse large-B cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. His fighting spirit
was in full display during one of his many hospitalizations when there was a need for repeated
blood-work. James laid down the law, "ONE draw a day - get your acts together and stick me
only once!" With his great sense of humor, he was also a fierce debater and patient teacher.

James had many varied interests. Everyone knew that James really didn't "like" any one thing,
because he LOVED everything. A die-hard New England Patriots fan, a passion he shared with
his dad, James found great pleasure in harassing his Seahawk-loving grandfather. He also had a
special fondness for Japan, its food and culture. He teasingly said that he must be at least part
Japanese because his mother was born there. James spent a semester in Osaka and later took a
course in New York City to receive ESL educator certification with the hopes of returning to
Japan to teach English as a second language. Unfortunately, his medical history prevented that
chapter from happening.

James is predeceased by his paternal grandparents J.Arnold Nickerson Sr. and Janice Dayton.
James is survived by his dearly loved mother Julianne Nickerson, who was his indomitable rock,
cheerleader and advocate, and stepmother Belinda Emerson of Underhill, VT, his beloved father
Jay Nickerson Jr., who was his friend and champion, and stepmother Beth Pierson Nickerson of
Shelburne, VT, his sister Madeline Nickerson of Underhill and NYC, his maternal grandparents
David and Beverly Anne Doupe' of Lancaster, PA, step-siblings Shane, Josh, and Katie Pierson
and numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

The family wishes to extend heart felt gratitude to all the health care providers who helped care
for James along his journey. Special thanks to Dr. Scott Yeager, Dr. Michael Flanagan, Liz Manz,
Colleen Wise, Dr. Wendy Davis, Dr. David Fisher, the oncology nurses and doctors at UVM,
Dana Farber, and Brigham and Women's Hospitals, and the Boston Adult Congenital Heart
(BACH) team.

James may have started out small in stature, but not in personality. He was full of love and
adventure. His influence, often brought about in subtle ways, made such a huge difference in the
lives of so many. In spite of coping daily with multiple life threatening conditions, his
perseverance created a life full of meaningful experiences, unforgettable moments, and love.
James spent all of his days being overwhelmingly confident about every challenge in front of
him. Nothing was ever off-limits. When asked how he did this, he replied, "This is my life. Each
day I wonder what is next!" May we all approach our days with such wonder.
A memorial will be hosted by United Church of Underhill and broadcast live on March 13th, at
1:00 PM EST, via YouTube. Here is the link https://youtu.be/WCS6BQJAWfs

A summer celebration of James' life, complete with "Jedi Pyre," is being planned and will be
announced via Facebook and Caring Bridge. If you are not connected to Julianne on either of
these platforms and are interested in being notified, email Julianne at
RememberingJamesIII@gmail.com.

Donations in James Nickerson's name can be made to causes close to his heart: The Edward J.
Madden Open Hearts Camp, 250 Monument Valley Rd., Great Barrington, MA 01230 and Make
A Wish Vermont, 6655 Shelburne Rd., Suite 300, Shelburne, VT 05482.
Thank you to our dear friend Carole Vasta Folley for helping us tell James story.