WAKELIN, James

The family of Jim Wakelin, son of Hazel (Balneaves) and Walter Wakelin, are sad to announce his passing on August 22, 2023.

Jim was born on December 21, 1930 and spent his entire life in Dunedin. Jim led an extraordinary life filled with outdoor adventure. He backpacked around South and North America, the Caribbean and parts of Asia in 1961 with his good friend Ted Hagen and cousin Jimmy Hillis.

In his early days he was a keen tramper who enjoyed many trips with his brother Charlie who passed away in 1995. Jim also did a number of mountaineering expeditions that included Mount Cook, Mount Tutoko, and Mount Aspiring. He was an avid yachtsman, having sailed with his longtime friend, Neil Brown, around NZ, the Auckland islands and the Chathams. They were, in fact, shipwrecked on the west coast of NZ in 1979.

Jim said, “I used up one of my nine lives on that one”. Jim’s favourite place was the family crib on Papanui Inlet. He was a keen fisherman and loved rowing out to set a net and then share the catch among friends. He was also riding his bicycle into his 90’s to visit friends, shop, attend appointments, and visit the library. He was an avid reader and had a tremendous ability to retain information.

In his professional life Jim was a commercial artist and worked for several advertising agencies in Dunedin. He also produced many water colour paintings - often given as gifts to those he was close to. Jim loved company and could spin a good yarn on many subjects - fishing, sailing, adventure, adversity and ship wrecks to name a few.

He had many good close friends who kept an eye on him in his later years. He will be sadly missed by his nephews, Brian (Caroline), Tony (Diana) and John (Melanie) and their children. He will be missed by his many dear friends who kept a close eye on him.

The family is grateful for the care that his friend Stuart King gave Jim in his last few years.

Jim did not wish to have a funeral service but the family will get together with his friends at a later date to celebrate a life well lived. Messages can be left on the above tribute page.