News of the sudden death of Alaska’s Official Balladeer, Hobo Jim succumbing to his terminal cancer diagnosis on Tuesday, quickly spread across the state and social media, but plans had been in the works since his public announcement to commemorate him locally. The City of Kenai, at the suggestion of Councilmember Glenese Pettey, wanted to issue a proclamation personally to Hobo Jim. In his honor, Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, issued a proclamation declaring October 6, 2021 as Hobo Jim Day.
In reading the proclamation, Gabriel said:
“A proclamation honoring James Varsos for his years of service to the Kenai Community. Whereas Jim Varsos, also known as Hobo Jim is a beloved and gifted singer and songwriter of Alaskans folk music who has greatly enriched the lives of Kenai residents. Whereas for over 40 years, Hobo Jim has celebrated the lives of Alaskans by writing and singing of our rich independent heritage in a way that makes us proud to be Alaskans. Whereas Hobo Jim exemplifies the spirit of Alaska in his music and has shared his love of our state through his songs throughout Alaska, the lower 48 and abroad as one of Alaska’s most acclaimed singer songwriters.”
Mayor Gabriel explained:
“He will be missed. I think that the news was extremely sad when it came out that he publicly came out with. Like I said, we had drafted the proclamation and reached out hoping he would be here today and then just found out last night that he had passed away. I know for our community; he was an ambassador clearly to the central peninsula and also the state of Alaska. I’m certain that he brought a lot of business to our community just by the excitement that he generated through his music. I can attest that I was inclined to buy a few more drinks whenever I was listening to him play. He certainly inspired a lot of people.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help pay for expenses with the goal of raising $75,000. The individual organizing the GoFundMe account for Hobo Jim stated that he is going to leave the account open in an effort to still reach the initial goal of $75,000. The GoFundMe link can be found here.
