Jim Vanek was born on Oct. 2, 1967. He is the oldest child of James J. Vanek and Aleta Fuller.
Jim has three siblings Kelly Vanek-Swain, R. Luke Fuller, and Rebekah Swigger, as well as two step-siblings Jeff Boise, Heather Boise-Barrow, and a half brother Jason Vanek. He has two nieces and six nephews Delaney, Jason, Aiden, Rian, Nathan, Austin, Alder, and Lilah.
Jim and his siblings were raised in Akron and Columbus, Ohio. He and his family moved to Newbury Park, California in August of 1985.
Jim was taught computer skills by his stepfather Larry “Bo” Fuller. Computer work was Jim’s main source of income throughout his adult life.
Jim had trauma and loss in his life, and for a long time was dependent on drugs and alcohol to ease his pain. Fortunately, in his last decade of life, he sought recovery for his addictions through the help of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Jim turned his life around and helped many others turn their lives around as well. The God of heaven was his higher power, and Jim developed a close personal relationship with Jesus.
His “other family” was his close friends in program — many whom he sponsored, and took long motorcycle trips with to Ojai, Utah, and other beautiful places.
Jim had eight years of sobriety, but after years of excess, his large heart quit on Aug. 8, 2024.
We all, friends and family alike, love and miss Jim so very much. But we have the assurance that we will be united with him again when the trumpet sounds.
(Written by Aleta Fuller)
“AA is not about staying sober — it’s about learning to live an enriched and spiritual life.”
(Written by Michael Lewis)
Jim Vanek was truly a “man’s man” with a strong sense of justice. He was a protector of anyone weaker in all areas of society and demonstrated it constantly.
One of Jim’s favorite places to eat was Petrini’s, where an old friend there was a waiter. One time while Jim’s friends were outside after dinner warming up their motorcycles and waiting for Jim to join them, the waiter came out and said, “Jim Vanek is the guy you want in a street fight.”
Jim was a good size in stature, at 5 feet, 10 inches, 220 pounds of hard muscle. He had recently taken up a yoga practice and to most people’s shock was extremely good at it right off the bat. This complemented his weight training and made him nice gains in the weight room. He loved to start his day with some significant heavy weight lifting.
Jim backed down and bowed down to no one but God, and he never apologized for or felt the need to explain his masculinity.
Jim was a man of structure and discipline, and he was also very soft spoken, gentle and very affectionate.
When Jim met any new person, man or woman, young or old, and they would extend their hand, Jim would walk straight up, give them a big bear hug, saying with his awesome smile, “I’m a hugger!”
Jim loved pranks and jokes, which were happening constantly when he was around, either by him or to him. He loved his buddies and pals in recovery and in the riding group and he had friends from all walks of life, all ethnicities and all world viewpoints.
Jim was staunch in his political beliefs and did not back down from them and he knew why he believed the way he believed. He did not care if you opposed him and he did not care to explain himself to you, nor require you to explain why you value and believe what you do. He simply kept his own street clean and watched out for his fellow man.
Jim left a big gap that will never really ever be filled. We have talked about him since the day he left, and we continue to quote him every day and week in our various groups and adventures that he was such a big influence in.
For now all we can do is emulate the kind of amazing human Jim was and know that we’re making him proud in the process. He will be missed and many of us are forever grateful for having had the time with him that we did and having learned what we did from the great Jim Vanek.
Please join us to celebrate the amazing and exceptional life of our brother and friend Jim Vanek, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Alano Club of Santa Barbara, 235 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara.
Food and drinks will be provided. Contact Mike Lewis for any questions, 805.403.6979, transcendsyoga@gmail.com.