James "Jim" Chudd

James “Jim” Chudd, 76, passed away on February 14, 2026, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, in the love and company of his wife and daughter. Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to John and Domicell Chudd, Jim lived a life defined by curiosity, intellect, humor, music, and deep devotion to his family. An Army veteran, Jim was working as a pharmacy tech in Columbia, South Carolina, when a colleague, Kathryn, introduced him to her sister, a nursing student named Yvonne. That introduction became a 53-year love story. This Valentine’s Day would have marked their 49th as a married couple, and one of Jim’s final wishes was that Yvonne enjoy a glass of champagne to commemorate their day. Jim earned his master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began his professional career as a chemist with Kodak in Rochester, New York. In 1982, he relocated to the Kodak Colorado Division, moving to Colorado with Yvonne and their four-week-old daughter, Jean. He worked for Kodak for 19 years before pursuing his true passion: international travel. He founded American Dream Travel and served his community through this agency for 18 years. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Jim was also a skilled numismatist. He was published in Numismatic News and remained active in local coin clubs through both scholarship and his business, American Dream Coins. He treasured his water aerobics group at the Fort Collins Senior Center and the many friendships built there. Jim was a passionate home chef and generous host, known for lively gatherings and even catering events for fellow members of the Fort Collins Business Network before retiring. Next to his family and travel, pizza was his third great love. A worldwide connoisseur of his beloved “Vitamin P,” he delighted in welcoming a professional pizza chef into the family when Jean married Gianluca this past June. He is survived by his beloved wife, Yvonne Schumpert Chudd; his daughter, Jean Michelle Cucchiara, and her husband, Gianluca; and his sister, Christine Chudd. A Celebration of Life will be held March 7 at the Fort Collins Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) would be deeply appreciated.