Jim Tozer, one of the founding members of the Writing Academy, passed away in mid-October. On this page our members share their reflections and fond memories of Jim's remarkable life. . . .

Jerry Elsea

Did any WAM ever catch a Tozer sermon? Fran and I imagine homespun, self-effacing Jim was compelling in the pulpit. His theology was sound. He loved good stories, even laughing at my jokes.

For 38 years he was pastor of the church he founded. Parishioners must have loved him. His reach went far beyond the community that was his church. He was, for example, team chaplain for Purdue men's basketball.

The Jim Tozer we knew was driven to be an effective writer as well as a good preacher. It's doubtful that any WAM ever drove himself harder. In The Writing Academy's 30-year life, who else completed virtually every lesson?

Jim would have made an excellent Writing Academy officer. But as far as I know, the last time he was asked was in 1984, when then-president George Lobien urged him to become development director. Jim declined because he was on board to write, not lead.

As a leader in other contexts, though, he knew what it takes to keep an organization on track. So just as he turned in his manuscripts with metronomic precision, he thanked Academy leaders for their efforts.

As for his gratitude for teachers, see his preface in his atmospheric "Tales of Manitou" (Charis Publishing; Glen Arbor MI, 2006). Thanking Academy teachers who had motivated and guided him, he credited Nancy E. James and Shirley S. Stevens, his editors, for challenging him in the craft of writing short stories.

When it came to writing, Pastor Jim Tozer was a self-admitted plugger. But he plugged away for at least 30 years and capped it off by ascribing his success to the diligence of others -- a graceful act wholly typical of him.

While mourning his passing, we know he would rather have us smile and remember the good times. How the WAMs will miss Jim Tozer!

Patty Kyrlach

At the Writing Academy seminar in 1979, I was scandalized when silver-haired Jim, about 17 years my senior, whizzed right past me on the jogging trail--coming and going. He ran with energy and determination--which is also the way he ran the race of life.

Jim came to the discipline of writing with enthusiasm and with a teachable spirit. From the first year that we offered a writing course, Jim was enrolled, and he continued to take a course every year thereafter. He studied under Olga Williams, Marian Fairman, NancyE James, Shirley Stevens and other teachers. He wrote. He rewrote. He kept learning.

If I had known Jim in a different context, I would have thought of him as unapproachable. After all, he had a Ph.D. in The History of Christian Thought. He had studied with Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri. He had published several books of Bible studies, and he was the founding pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette, Indiana. He knew a lot of famous people. I remember that he had his picture taken with Anwar Sadat.

But I knew him in a place where people were just Jim or Jane or John. In the early years of the Academy, Jim and I often shared a ride to the Yahara Center. He was always upbeat and encouraging. We talked about our families, our churches, our beliefs, our struggles with writing. Impressive credentials notwithstanding, Jim was a guy you could talk to.

Other responsibilities kept Jim away from our seminars for several years, but we were overjoyed when he returned. And we were delighted to share in his excitement about writing books based on the history of Glen Arbor and Manitou Island in Michigan. May we all receive a double portion of Jim's gift of encouragement!

Nancy James

I first knew Jim Tozer through his writing-years before I had the happy experience of meeting this warm, generous man in person at a Mt. Olivet Writers' Weekend. As his tutor in the Academy's writing program, I enjoyed critiquing his essays. (He faithfully wrote three assignments every year even after he had completed all the regular Series.) Later, as director of the program, I recommended him to other mentors: my niece, Beverly James, a fellow Presbyterian pastor; the late Peggy Jensen, who tutored him in writing the historical essays that became his book Glen Arbor Pioneers; and Shirley Stevens, who introduced Jim to a new genre, the short story. All of us found Jim to be the most willing, most enthusiastic, most appreciative of students. We couldn't ask him to do anything he wouldn't cheerfully try-and accomplish! Shirley and I were, finally, the "godmothers" of his last literary production, the book of historical fiction Tales of Manitou. Although he could not attend the 2006 seminar because of his illness, I was honored to read one of the stories in Showcase. He was rightly proud of this book-as all of us in the Academy are of him. Nancy E. James

Beverly James

I am a collleague of Jim Tozer who helped with his writing for a few seasons. I also know Stan Ott and Nancy James is my aunt. In an E-mail to Nancy I wrote: "Thanks for sending the news about Jim Tozer. Somehow I think he is already at work on some project for God in heaven. God will probably wisely give him something to do that will keep him occupied for a while! He really was a good person and pastor. There aren't many around like him any more." Nancy told me you were collecting reflections on his life and I am sending this along.

Mar Korman

Memories of Jim Tozer. . . . Once in a while Jim would call and leave a message on our answering machine. His voice was always warm and rich. When I'd reach him, he always voiced such appreciation for what I'd been doing. It was easy to do things for Jim because he always expressed appreciation, even for the little things.

Nancy Remmert

I remember Jim's story about putting "Chicago" on his home office door so that if someone called when he was busy and didn't want to take calls, his children would not have to lie! They always told everyone he was not available because he was in Chicago!

What a kind and dedicated gentle-man! There is no doubt that The Writing Academy was important to him...but no less than how important he was to the Academy!

Sheryl Van Weelden

I am saddened to hear about Jim Tozer. I begged him the last year he attended the Academy to please record the books he had written in his rich voice. I loved listening to him read even more than Walt W. However, I doubt if he ever had the strength to do it. Praise God he did record the wonderful histories of the pioneers. I have both of his books and I will treasure them.

Kathy Bolduc

I was so sorry to hear about Jim Tozer. I never got to know him well, but was amazed and encouraged by his passion and enthusiasm for the Writing Academy curriculum.

Ruth Otto

Ruth's computer is down, but she phoned in a memory of "Testing Week" in 1978. That year Harley Swiggum put out a call for Christian writers to come to the Yahara Center in Madison, Wisconsin. He wanted to form a group of writers who would produce materials for the church. For that week in August, those of us who gathered worked on a series of writing assignments. The idea was that at the end of the week, Harley would evaluate the writings and select the members of his "Writing Academy."

Ruth sat in her second floor room working on the assignments, sometimes at a loss for words. She frequently found herself looking out the window at a tall man sitting in the hot sun, writing intently on a legal pad. Every time she looked, he was still writing. Ruth felt spurred on by this stranger's concentration and persistence. When the Writing Academy convened the following year, she made a point of meeting the man in the window, and thus began a long friendship with Jim Tozer.

Patricia Lorenz

I remember telling Jim that based on our correspondence while he was sending me his devotions, that I couldn't wait to meet him and that I was praying he would recover and be able to attend the next Writing Academy conference. Jim was so eager to fine tune his devotions and so gracious when I rejected a couple of them. What a wonderful student. Somehow I had the feeling during our correspondence that he was more the teacher and I the student because he was so wise. His positive reinforcement of my work on the book inspired me to keep going and meant more he would ever know. Perhaps now he does. I miss him. And I never even got to meet him in person.

Olga Williams

My heart is heavy with the passing of Jim Tozer.
Little did I know when we last laughed together
That it would be our last laugh.
No more bantering or mutual back-patting.
I know he has gone on to a more wondrous life
Yet my heart is heavy with Jim's Tozer's passing.

I know the prayers of all the WAMS are with Vivian Tozer and her family in confidence that they will be embraced in God's most tender and consoling love.

Gloria Sladek

I am so sad to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a dedicated writer and I was privileged when he gave me one of his books at the Academy and autographed it. He had such a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. I've thought of him often and will pray for his wife and family.

Margaret Steinacker

This is the note I sent to Dave. [Jim's son]

Dave, I am a fairly new member of the Writing Academy in light of all the years your Dad had with us. I've only belonged for 7 years. In those first years your Dad was a special treat to me. One year at the Minneapolis Airiport, before they put in the monorail, your Dad helped me with my luggage. I had taken too much carry-on luggage with me and was at the point of exhaustion. He truly lifted my load that day. He loved the way I played the piano and sang and never failed to tell me. I've been the worship leader at the Academy for the past 5 years.
I love his books. I teach adult education and have used part of the stories in my classes.
He will be sadly missed, as he has been the last several years at our Academy weekend.
I teach in Loganpsort, IN and my husband and I direct the music at the Delphi United Methodist Church. We have a traditional and contemporary service and in the little town of Delphi are averaging 400-425 every Sunday. In fact our current drummer used to play with the praise band at Covenant. However, I won't be able to attend the service because of my teaching schedule. It would have been wonderful to be able to meet all of you.
Please share with your family my deepest sympathy and prayers for healing as you go through this difficult time.

Shirley Stevens

The word "enthusiasm" comes to mind when I think of Jim Tozer. Jim had the spirit of God in him and reacted with zeal and fervor to all aspects of life.

I remember when NancyE James assigned me to work with Jim as a mentor in order to help him to write his Tales of Manitou. When I told Jim that his first stories seemed more like sermons than stories, he said, "Teach me how to write a story."

Jim was always eager to learn. He read stories and books on the craft. Then he wrote and rewrote his stories until he produced the linked tales set on the island in Lake Michigan whose history he had written.

When he came to the Writing Academy seminar each summer, he loved participating in the writing activities and sharing his work. Jim¹s enthusiasm was contagious, so those around him also became excited about sharing their experiences.

Tommie Lenox

Remembering Jim, it is impossible to miss his powerful voice, his life affirming smile, his friendliness and the way he made all of us feel so special. We first met Jim in 1979, when Don, our daughter Marji and I came to our first WA seminar.

A charter member, I had missed the first seminar. As the new kid on the block, Jim made me feel at home with his easy manner and warmth. At every seminar we both attended, I felt the same shared faith.

In August, 2007, when I took a leap of faith to have the book I have worked on for so long published, I wrote to Jim. His words tell better than I ever could the essence of the man. Here are some excerpts from his last 2 letters to me.

August 25, 2007
Dear Tommie,
Thanks for your thoughtful email of August 24. You and Don and your daughter are vivid in my memory.
Your spirit enriches my life. You are an accomplished writer of considerable fame. Wow!
Gorham Printing is outstanding.
They made publishing easy for me.
I'm a strong advocate of these people.
Yesterday, two friends and I cruised in my twenty-one foot Sea Ray to South Manitou Island out in Lake Michigan. My book, Tales of Manitou, has short stories about Kevin and Anna, young people, who lived on the island in the 1850's. My son David and I are authorities on the history of the island. It is eight miles off shore. My friends and I fished on the west side of the island yesterday. We caught our limit of nine king salmon. We toured the island and returned home with wonderful memories.
God bless you.
Love ya
Jim

August 31
Tommy, I feel fantastic. I have indolent cancer; it could become active or God may heal me.
I know I am in God's hands. My spirit is excellent, and my faith is secure.
Love ya,
Jim

To Jim, Vivian everyone whose lives he touched, we send our thanks for a life well spent, a love well shared, and a faith that encompasses us all.

We too, know you are safe in God's hands.

Love ya
Tommie, Don and all the WAMs lucky enough to have shared life with you.

Jim Thuirer

Jim Tozer is a great friend; a man of integrity, love, and compassion. He always lifted up your strong qualities when he referred to you as his friend in the presence of others. Although Jim never held an office in the Writing Academy he still was one of our greatest motivators and leaders by example, word of encouragement. and friendship heralding the Academy where ever he went in life.

I was priviledged to be Jim's friend and roommate for nearly thirty years at the Academy seminars. We talked about everything in life. We would discuss God, family, our churches, our hopes, our uncertainities, our writing successes and failures. We would fall asleep at night listening to each other talk.

I spoke with Jim a few days ago on the phone. He sent me his last writings. Following are some quotes he said about all of us in recent submissions he made to our "New" book of devotions. They reveal a "giant" among WAMS who will be greatly missed.

"For almost thirty years every teacher and member of our fellowship has strengthened me."

"The Writing Academy has sponsered a late summer seminar since 1978. I learned to write at these gatherings of about fifty students and five teachers. People loved one another and laughed."

"At the Writing Academy on Wednesday afternoons, we enjoyed "free time." Most of our people wisely used this time to rest from intensive writing (he mentioned the golf games, movie goers, resting by the lake, long hikes and quiet reading many of us did). I stayed in my room with the door locked and wrote a sermon. If I failed to get words on paper there woud be no message from my pulpit the next Sunday."

"We celebrate one evening with a dress up dinner and talent show. Harley Swiggum lauched us into this display of genius. He dressed up with a turban and robes...improvised mock opera...voice in full cresendo...making up words from the evening paper and the cartoons...including passages from Song of Solomon and Shakespeare. The grand finale inspired everyone to stand and sing "When the saints come marchin' in."

"Our daughter and husband asked me to teach writing to our three home schooled granddaughters...the results have been spectacular. Laura 17 focuses on short stories. Rebekah 14 is completing her first novel. Anna 6 is writing thank you notes."

"When I arranged for 'Tales of Manitou' to be sent to our Writing Academy in 2006, it was one of the most satisfying moments of my life."

"Lord, thank you for leaders and teachers who strengthen us as writers."

I have been filled to the brim to overflowing by the friendship of Jim Tozer! I thank God for the privilege and honor to have had him as my friend.

Postscript

The Writing Academy is producing a book of devotions for writers. Jim was enthusiastic about the project, and he wrote the entry for January 2nd. Here is a sneak peek at the book to be unveiled next spring, and some parting words of encouragement from our friend Jim Tozer: "Lord, thank you for the gift of writing."

January 2

When Harley Swiggum announced try outs for the Writing Academy, crude described my essays. No one ever said, "Jim, you should be a writer." Swiggum's fame as author of Bethel Bible Study Series overshadowed me like a giant.

My wife Vivian, a Bethel teacher, saw the printed notice for the trials and said, "Try it."

After the Academy selected me, I met writers who could write and who could tell me what was wrong with my efforts. I did not want to critique their work because it all looked better than mine.

For almost thirty years, every teacher and member of our fellowship has strengthened me. Two years ago Shirley Stevens introduced me to short story writing as she taught me to develop characters and build crises. She always made me feel I could do it.

During the years when Vivian and I lived on the shore of Lake Michigan, we could see Manitou Island eight miles away. In the 1850's immigrants landed there. I wrote historical fiction about Kevin from Ireland and Anna from Bavaria. These young people met and found life together.

When I arranged for Tales of Manitou to be sent to our Writing Academy in 2006, it was one of the most satisfying moments of my life.

Lord, thank you for the gift of writing and for giving me courage to keep trying.

With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 RSV

--James R. Tozer

Thanks to Chris Hefte, Bill Menter, and David Tozer for providing the photographs.

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