James H. Elwell 12/21/1948 - 11/7/2020

Jim was born in Sacramento to parents, Winifred and Willis (Bill) Elwell. The family loved the out of doors and spent many a weekend enjoying the back roads and waterways of California and Nevada. He spent summers with his grandmother exploring Nevada on a dirt bike. He enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his Uncle. Jim's love of the outdoors stayed with him for life. He became a record setting hunter and loved to get together with friends and family for horse rides, jeep or quad rides, hunting and camping. There were lots of vacations, parties and adventures over the years. He was often the cook and that was always appreciated. Jim enjoyed helping his friends and family. Whether it be cooking, gathering cattle or helping build or fix something, he wanted to contribute.Jim married his wife Nancy after high school. Love and hard work brought them son Jimmy, a happy 52 years of marriage and a life of which to be proud.Jim could wear many hats well. In his early days, he worked various construction jobs and went on to start his own contracting business. He always felt that the experiences he had while working as a contractor were valuable to his later law enforcement career. In 1980 he was sponsored by the Auburn Police Department to the Police training academy. After graduation, he worked for Auburn and then became an investigator for the Placer County District Attorney's office. He worked in law enforcement for 24 years and retired in 2004. He loved law enforcement but retirement allowed Jim to spend more time doing what he enjoyed most – riding his horses and working cattle with his friends. He enjoyed everything about the cowboy way of life. He also participated with the Sierra Trail Blazers and the Modoc Tribe riding groups where he had many friends.Jim is survived by his wife Nancy; son Jimmy (Cheri); granddaughter Kyli (Kyle) and great-grandson Kaison. We will never forget all the love, wisdom and fun he shared with us. He was a strong, generous, kind man who will be greatly missed. He wanted the memory of him to be a happy one. He said that when he died, if anyone said a bunch of nice things about him that they would be lying. We don't think so, but Jim did not die. He's just gone riding.A private service will be held for the family only and a Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date.