James “Jim / Jimmy” Robert Fierek of Togo, MN passed away too soon at the age of 66. His family at his side, he was at home and at peace.

Jim was born in Duluth in 1960 to Robert James and Irene Fierek. The family moved to Grand Rapids, where Jim graduated high school in 1978. Being the son of a real estate agent, Jim’s family moved to various houses in the community over a short time, leading Jim to make fast friends, an attribute that continued his whole life. In his teen years, Jim spent countless hours skiing at Sugar Hills, becoming a member of the ski patrol. When he would participate in competitions, at times in a tuxedo, he would often compete on an exhibition basis, as his skills were too advanced to score. It is this fearlessness that earned him the nickname Fireball which carried over to other sports like waterskiing and skateboarding. This same fearlessness turned into bravery and led Jim to enlist in the Navy in 1981, serving mainly on the USS Tecumseh SSBN 628 and also the USS Lewis & Clark SSBN 644 nuclear submarines out of South Carolina and Connecticut. In 1988, Jim became a doting father to his only daughter, hand making her a crib while on leave. When he was honorably discharged, he returned to his roots and worked on the ski patrol in Colorado, alongside his brother.

Jim began to learn more and more about photography at this time, a hobby that started at the age of 10 with a Zeiss Contessa, and ultimately turned into a life-long career. In 1998, it was photography that led him down a driveway, lost, in Togo, where he fatefully met another photographer. Marie and Jim spent 7 years together, followed by 21 years more, married. In this time, Jim’s artistry flourished with their business, Sweet Water Photo Studios, as they filmed the usual: weddings, reunions, senior portraits and the unusual: the Effie Rodeo, the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, the Indianapolis 500, and the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival. Jim would often take a drive “around the block” in Togo and capture northern Minnesota in a way that gave everyone pause for the beauty he saw. Notably, one of his photos of northern lights, taken in his backyard, once hung in the Minnesota Governor’s Mansion.

Jim had the distinct joy of becoming a Papa in 2021 and again in 2023, and got a kick out of watching “his boys” use the crib he made. He spent the last 5 years spoiling his grandsons with moments like making s’mores, their first time bowling, and their first train ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Jim will be remembered by his friendliness, generosity, sense of humor, and his ability to talk to darn near anybody about anything. He was a resourceful neighbor, an invested friend, a thoughtful family member, and a beloved husband, father, and Papa. He will be deeply missed by all that have survived him: his wife, Marie; daughter and son-in-law, Miranda and Jon; grandsons, Sterling and Bryton; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert James and Irene; brother, Glen; and infant sister, Patricia.

A celebration of life will be held in early April in Grand Rapids.