Artist, philanthropist James Widmark dies

BY JOSEFINA LOZA

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

James Stanley Widmark shared his time and talent with Omaha through the stroke of a brush.

Widmark, 34, painted for charities, schools and community art projects. His images were viewed across the country, including the Middle East when he designed remembrance shirts for military families in Ohio and their loved ones in Iraq.

He painted a mural of Fullerton Elementary School's mascot in the gymnasium, where his daughter, Leia, attended school.

Widmark, owner and operator of Shirtmaster, died Dec. 9. He collapsed in his home last week and never regained consciousness, said his sister, Lora Anania of Omaha. Family members are awaiting autopsy results.

A service is scheduled at 10 a.m. today at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 5410 Corby St.

Widmark earned an associate degree in art from Southeast Community College in 1991. He created several T-shirt designs for charities and a River City Roundup poster in 1996.

He released his self-published comic book, "The Hollow Box," in 1997. He participated in the J. Doe Project in 2000 by painting a statue for the Fontenelle Forest Association.

A memorial Web site has been created by friends and family so those who knew him could share their memories. The site is: James Stanley Widmark Memorial Website <www.jameswidmark.com>.

"It's really comforting to the family to read about him and other people's thoughts about him,"

In addition to his daughter and sister, Widmark is survived by his wife, Kim; parents, Nina and John Widmark; brother, John Jr.; and sisters, Lucy Cloer-Chapman and Annette Bradley, all of Omaha.