James Kinchen Olive died March 13

James Kinchen Olive was born on May 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana. On March 13, 2023, he passed away in Norfolk with his family by his side.

Jim was a graduate of Indiana  University, where he earned both bachelor and master’s degrees in business and accounting management. He became a gifted Certified Public Accountant, serving residents of Rockbridge  County for over 40 years in his private practice. Jim was a trusted friend, confidant, and advisor to those he served.

Jim was a kind, gentle, and generous man to all. As a father of five daughters, he epitomized patience with his tender spirit. He created stability and comfort so that his family could flourish.

Jim lost three daughters during the course of his life. The depth of grief he experienced with each daughter was unfathomable, but he continued to love and take care of others despite his losses.  Jim spent the last part of his life as the primary caregiver for his neurodivergent daughter, Ana, until she died suddenly in 2020. Jim provided Ana with unconditional love and unwavering support throughout her life.

In addition to his family and children, Jim’s true love was his land and home - the Heart of the Forest, which he built and maintained for the majority of his life.  In 1974, after serving a brief stint in the Navy as an accountant, Jim purchased 16 acres bordering the George  Washington  National forest in Goshen.  Jim and a group of friends opened the Heart of the Forest Cafe and ran a gas station along U.S. 60 before the interstate was built. They were artists, gardeners, carpenters, and musicians living a carefree life while also learning how to be parents and grownups.

Over the decades, friends and family moved away. Jim stayed close to his sanctuary, the Heart of the Forest. When Jim was not doing tax returns or caring for others, he enjoyed taking walks, feeding his fish, tinkering with old cars, working on repairs and projects, and sitting on the porch and listening to the birds; the Heart was where Jim found home.

During his retirement, Jim lived near the ocean in Virginia Beach with his partner Deanna Mead and her daughter Lily Ayres.  Jim enjoyed daily adventures, sunsets, watching the purple martins from his window and relishing a slower pace of life.

Jim is survived by his children, Joy Lyons and Sarah Olive, his granddaughters Jenna and Macy Lyons and Maya Murray, his sister Anne Moore and brother David Olive.

He was preceded in death by his daughters Jennifer (18), Carey (25), and Ana Olive (25), spouse Sue Olive, brother George Scott Olive III, and his parents, George Scott Olive Jr. and Sally Olive, as well as many other relatives and lifelong friends.

A memorial will be held in his honor in early August 2023. An announcement will be published in July with the date and location.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, which serves and protects its natural resources.