HARLIN - Jim Harlin, age 67, a resident of Gallup, NM, died Friday, December 9, 2011 in Albuquerque. He was born in Burbank, CA, son of John Ridge Harlin and Iva Lucille Leighty. Jim lived in Yuma, AZ until 1994 when he met and eventually married Mary Jane Milz. They moved to Gallup in 1997. Jim was not in Gallup long when he became aware of the hunger insecurity in McKinley County. The rest is history; his work of love. Jim was a community organizer, a metal smith, Executive Director of the Community Pantry, and a partner in MJ&J Connections Medical-Legal Consulting and Research. He was a founding member of CARE 66, the Gallup chapter of ACLU New Mexico, and a loyal supporter of the New Mexico ACLU affiliate. He was a judge and evaluator for SWAIA Indian Market-Santa Fe, Navajo Nation Fair, Indian Market-Window Rock, Arizona, and Gallup Ceremonials. He was a member of the State Democratic Central Committee, involved in the local Native American Democratic Caucus, and a member of the State Democratic Caucus for Native Americans. In addition, Jim was a founding member of the New Mexico Associated Food Banks, and a member of the core group of the McKinley Community Health Alliance. Other volunteer efforts include Gallup Arts Council (president), founding member of the New Mexico Community Arts Network-Santa Fe, and Board Member Gallup Chamber of Commerce. In Gallup, he is known for his work to feed the hungry and especially those who are most vulnerable to food insecurity – the elderly and the young. Special programs to fill these needs were started by Jim. The weekend Food for Kids Program is exemplary. To provide more fresh and nutritious foods for the pantry clients Jim's vision was a garden on the pantry grounds. The Hope Garden is producing and continues to be a work in progress. In recognition of his great work he was placed on The Tree of Life by the Americans for Native Americans, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was honored for "his tireless and outstanding effort to distribute nutritious food to Native Americans in the Four Corners Area". Jim always looked for a way to help people in whatever community he resided. Evidence of this is in the over 100 certificates of appreciation he received in his lifetime. In lieu of flowers cash donations can be made to support the ongoing work of The Community Pantry, P.O. Box 520, Gallup, NM 87305. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Red Rock State Park (east of Gallup off of Highway 66) at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Gary West officiating. A potluck dinner will follow from 2:30-4:30 pm.