I met Jimi Warfield in 1998 while he was a student in the Design Department at Cornish College of the Arts where I worked. Several years later, after starting my business as a portrait photographer, Theresa Warfield called me to photograph her during her pregnancy with their daughter Virginia. During that conversation, we connected the dots and I realized that the Jimi that I had known at Cornish was her husband.

Over the next couple of years, I photographed Theresa, Jimi and their family several times; after the birth of their daughter Virginia and for a large, extended family gathering.

On March 1st, 2006, Theresa called me to let me know that Jimi had died of liver cancer. He was 36.

As a way to honor and celebrate Jimi, who was a warm, kind, playful and vibrant person, I wanted to spotlight him and his family. It is never easy to convey the spirit of a person through still images, especially a spirit as large and generous as Jimi`s, but hopefully you will be able to get a glimpse of who he was and what he meant to those who knew him.

Here are Theresa`s words that were published in the Seattle Times:

Jimi C. Warfield
December 2, 1969 - February 28, 2006

My dear Jimi, Our time together was shorter than either of us had hoped, but you showed love to us with every moment. No one else knew you as I did, as my husband, but they did know the joy and peace you shared, your connection to children, and your ability to make us smile. Every moment that I miss you reminds me of the blessings we shared, and that we wouldn't have changed anything about our time together. Our family was always most important. Thank you for reading to us, playing superheroes, sharing your comics. Thank you for playing chase with the kids, holding our babies, for always reading bedtime stories. Thank you for staying awake when you were so very tired. Thank you for sharing your life with me. I love you. Your Honey Forever, Theresa

Jimi was born and raised in Maple Valley. He graduated from Tahoma High School in 1988, and from Cornish College of the Arts in 2002, with a BFA in Design. He and his wife worked together in their home childcare, where they could spend every day with their children. Jimi was always holding someone, and every child loved hearing him read stories and comics out loud. His gentle guidance, playfulness, and patience will forever be a gift to all of us. Age 36, Jimi died of liver cancer. He is survived by his wife, Theresa; children, Nicholas, Isaiah, Jamie, and Virginia.

"I just love everybody. I love everybody, and I just want to be together." Jimi, 2/25/2006