James (Zircon) Edward Oliver, a 14-year resident of Joshua Tree, died March 6; two days after his 54th birthday. Born and raised in Sherwood, Oregon, with a menagerie of animals while growing up, Jim was a serious artist and loyal friend. Jim did not suffer fools. He had no tolerance in his world for haters, while readily acknowledging that “it’s very important to be silly.” Jim and his husband, Jose (Wish) Pool Oxte, moved to Joshua Tree in 2008 and built a permanent big top where they hosted many magical events, including the opening night gala performance of Phantasia for the Highway 62 Art Tours in 2012. Jim retired from engineering to become a full-time artist in 2016.
On March 6th, 2022, just two days after his 54th birthday, Jim passed at Desert Regional Medical Center after 11 days in a coma following a hemorrhagic stroke.
He is survived by his beloved husband, Jose (Wish) Pool Oxte; his mother-in-law, AgustinaOxte Oxte; niece and nephew, Madelyn Mejia, Raulito Mejia, Juanito Pool, Suemi Pool; sisters-in-law, Martha Pool Oxte and Lola Pool Oxte; his sister, Kathleen (Kathy) Tufto; Kathy’s husband, Jack Tufto; their brother, William (Bill) Oliver and Bill’s wife, Martha; their father, John Oliver; Bill’s kids – Jim’s niece and nephews Dawson, Benjamin, Abigail Oliver); his Godson and nephew Michael (Casper) Pool, and Goddaughter and niece, Saasil Uj Oxte Flores; his dogs (Dobby and Kylie), a school of fish and Mrs. Turtle – and by a much larger non-biological family – Christopher, Burt, Terry, Skyttle, Nik, Rafael, Jen, Victoria, Diana, and many many more.
