Jimmy "Ole" Bonham

Jimmy Lawrence Bonham, known to his many friends as "Ole", passed away on March 2, 2021 at Mendocino Coast District Hospital after a long illness.

Ole was born on September 5, 1948 in Brownswood, Texas to Louise and Kelton Bonham. His family moved to California when he was a child and he spent his younger years in different parts of the state. He fell in love with the North Coast and, except for a ten year period when he lived on Kauai, he spent his adult years in the Mendocino area.

Ole was highly skilled in woodworking and welding, creating beautiful pieces of art in studios he set up wherever he lived. He also used his talents to create wonderful signs for several businesses in Fort Bragg and Cleone. One of his masterpieces was the creation of "the Blue Bus", a unique, tri-level space in which he lived and traveled in the 1970"s. It was a beautiful expression of practicality, creativity and was unique to the skillful artistry that Ole possessed.

Ole was a talented musician who especially enjoyed getting together in and around Mendocino for jamming sessions. He was a vibrant personality whose great joy was drawing people together for good times and good vibes. He documented many of these ’get togethers’ with photography, another of his passions.

Ole is survived by his beloved son, Kiva, Kiva’s mother Harmony Ross, his brother Kelton, loving sister Barbara Nilson (Henry), several nieces, a nephew and many loving friends.

Farewell, dear Friend. You will be greatly

missed.