James Stotts

Nov 18, 1947 -

May 23, 2026

James F. Stotts, known lovingly to family and friends as Jimmy Nuyaagiq, 78, passed away peacefully in Anchorage, Alaska, on May 23, 2026, after a long fight with cancer.

Jimmy was born in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, on Nov. 18, 1947, the oldest child of Mary Brower Stotts and Harry Jr. Stotts, and grew up in Barrow and many remote villages throughout Alaska, as well as periods in Lower 48, while his father worked for the Weather Bureau.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 41 years, Karoline (Karo); their son, Inuuteq (Topaz); daughters and sons, Carla (Scott), Sonya (Shawn), Edward, Chris (Sarah), Sarah and Jamey; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Michael; sister, Maria; his beloved big family of cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the North Slope and Greenland; and his many dear friends throughout the Arctic and beyond.

James was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dale; sister, Evelyn Joyce; and daughter, Sarah.

He was fondly known for his easy-going, uplifting and competitive spirit, his warmth and humor, and will be deeply missed by all, who knew and loved him.

James graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a degree in business administration, and started his long career at The Weather Bureau - today's National Weather Service - and proudly worked diligently for his Inupiat people in various positions within Utqiagvik Inupiat Corporation, the North Slope Borough Assembly, two years as chairman and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

After retiring from his corporate career, he devoted himself fully to the international Inuit organization, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) and served on its executive council, briefly worked for ICC Greenland and served as ICC Alaska President and International Chairman, advocating for Inuit peoples and Arctic concerns throughout the circumpolar world in international fora.

Jimmy's life was rooted in relationships - with family, friends, community and Inuit Nunaat. Through decades of travel, advocacy, storytelling, laughter, music and friendship, he built lasting connections across Alaska, Canada, Greenland/Denmark, and throughout the Arctic that remained deeply important to him until the very end.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Legacy Funeral Cremation, 440 E. Klatt Rd, Anchorage, AK 99515.