James Ransom - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Celebrating JR's incredible life with the laughter and joy he brought to so many across the globe

This website was created by JR's former NACCHO colleagues to commemorate JR's contributions as a public health hero who served with unparalleled commitment, passion, and intellect.

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May 16, 2021

I met JR when I joined NACCHO fresh out of graduate school. At the time, I had a lot of passion and no professional experience. I was in complete awe of him and wanted to learn his ways because I could see that he was always channeling his passion into progress. I remember asking Carol Brown, how do I build those skills, because I so desired to make a difference. During the 7 years I worked with JR, I learned by observing him and conversing with him. We worked on our doctorates at the same time--he finished way before me of course--but our discussions of organizational dynamics, leadership, politics, and public health were always eye-opening and intellectually stimulating.

The last time I saw him was in Atlanta. He had returned from one of his trips, and I saw him walking toward the building through the window. I abruptly left my meeting to greet him at security. It was as if I saw a celebrity. We had dinner that night and he told me of the incredible work he was doing in South Sudan. I remember thinking how courageous he was and reflecting on how I could be more courageous and do more.

Since he passed, I have been sharing stories of JR's work with my two sons. I showed my 9 year old a video that played on Kenya TV that described the maternal and child health initiative JR spearheaded. My son asked me why JR was not in the video, and I explained that JR wouldn't have wanted to be displayed prominently... that the story was about Kenyans.

JR was unbelievably humble. He didn't work for glory. He worked to make other people's lives better. The world would be such a better place if we could all follow in his example. While he would have hated it while he was alive, I think we should all brag about how incredible he was, but not for too long, because there is still a lot of work to be done. I will think of him often when the work feels insurmountable or really frustrating, and remember to focus on the desired impact and continue to march forward.

May 16, 2021

JR was once an indispensable participant in a successful effort by NACCHO, ASTHO (and others I may be missing) to persuade Congress to appropriate $100 million for health departments to prepare for a post-911 smallpox vaccination campaign. This was in 2002 or 2003, when biological terrorism was a big concern and the Bush Administration felt it had reason to be prepared for the use of the smallpox virus as a biological weapon. I went to JR”s office and said, “Can we figure out what it would cost local health departments to do what CDC is asking?” Before I knew it, he, other staff members, and the Immunization Work Group developed a cost estimation methodology, gathered detailed estimates from a selection of LHD’s, and wrote a research brief with a well-justified cost range. It was, needless to say, a lot more money than the Administration thought. But those data turned the tide and Congress voted what we asked for -- $100 million for health departments for this effort. That would not have happened without JR’s leadership and energy!

May 16, 2021

My tenure at NACCHO overlapped with JRs. I learned a lot of things by observing him work and working with him. Once, the request came in, I think form chief executive (Pat. Libby), to do a quick qualitative analysis (it may have been the early Budget cut survey or H1N1 data)., with something needed by the next day. By training, I knew qualitative analysis cannot be completed that quickly. JP took it upon himself and had some results the next morning. "Never let the perfect be enemy of the goo," is what I remembered from that experience. He was a friend and a kind colleague.

May 16, 2021

May JR's soul rest in peace and my hos family and the numerous lives that he touched be comforted! Gone too soon, but even the impact he left in world public health and his memories will sustain us. I was one of the fortunate ones to have served alongside JR when he led NACCHO's immunization workgroup. His humor, humility, insight and ability to pull information and put things together in a very short amount of time was amazing. JR was simply an amazing soul to be around, and while he will be missed, I am comforted that our paths crossed and he inspired me in many ways. Rest in peace, bro.

May 15, 2021

I left NACCHO in 2010 and have many fond memories of JR. At one time our offices were close to each other, and I could hear him laugh and talk with others. After I left NACCHO I was thrilled when an email would pop up from him. The last one was in 2017 when he was in Kenya. I still have and treasure a little wooden penguin that he gave to me when he came back from Cape Town. In a way, I felt I lived somewhat vicariously through his experiences. I especially want his parents and loved ones to know that his work and dedication improved the health and saved the lives of thousands of people around the world. I will temember JR with love.

May 14, 2021

I was so sad to read that JR passed away. He was such a dear, kind, and gentle man. JR was the very first person I ever worked with from NACCHO and he was so tremendously helpful to the Immunization Action Coalition in those early days. JR helped IAC build strong connections with local public health departments during the many years we worked together. I am grieved that I will not hear from or see him again, but reading all these wonderful tributes warms my heart, and the photos of him put a smile on my face. He touched so many lives and I am honored that I got to be one of them.
Deborah Wexler, MD, executive director, Immunization Action Coalition

May 14, 2021

I met JR in Nigeria in 1992-93 while I was a Fellow with the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH). He could relate to everyone he met and shared his perspectives on life through a straight no chaser filter. One of my fondest memories was when a group of the IFESH, Africare and Fulbright folks took a trip to Kano and Kaduna in northern Nigeria. We took a flight which proved to be a free fall experience when it came to the idea of passenger boarding! We explored the indigo pits with artisans and different cultural marketplaces. JR was a great example of how to adjust to new environments without losing yourself and being overwhelmed. His life journey was one of purpose, courage, humor and truth. I will miss him dearly.

May 12, 2021

JR was my buddy. We met in FETP many years ago. He was just so insightful and opinionated that I wanted to know “who is this guy?” and I wanted to learn from him. He also has a sense of humor like no other. He made stops in Atlanta, when he could, just so we could have lunch while he was in the states. The Epi World has lost another great global public health solider and warrior. I will miss my friend/brother. My heart, prayers and condolences goes out to his family! GOD bless!!

May 12, 2021

I was one of the many fortunate NACCHO team members who experienced JR's inspiring spirit. My fondest memories of JR were when he would indelicately express his opinion on something we were working on at NACCHO. With wisdom well ahead of his age, he was on point, direct, with no holds barred, always ending his comments with that magical and unmistakable laugh. His approach never failed - we consistently improved our work products and our service to health departments. Years later, our paths crossed again in 2014 - we corresponded as JR expressed interest in starting a public health institute to serve the communities he was supporting (first in Kenya if memory serves). At that time I also encouraged him to return to the US and come work for NNPHI. I was wildly unsuccessful in that selfish attempt. Deep down I suspected JR was quite happy with his mission-driven work. On January 9, 2020 I sent my last note to JR on LinkedIn congratulating him on his new CDC role. I can think of no better work community with which to belong than our public health family - JR will always remain my family hero and role model and I'll carry his memory in my heart and mind. His commitment to humanity is awe inspiring.

May 12, 2021

I met JR in my first job after college, at NACCHO. He set an example for what a public health professional could be. Passionate and committed, didn't take himself too seriously, could find a moment to chuckle at that most might have missed, and cared deeply for the people around him. I didn't work directly with JR, but a few moments come to mind from our time at the office. We had a rotating chore for teams to take care of emptying the office kitchen dishwasher and on one of my turns I somehow ended up knocking over the shelf where all the mugs were stored, breaking about half of them. JR popped his head into my office soon after, and although I was mortified, he helped me see the lighter side - a couple mugs breaking wasn't the end of my career, or really even something to worry about. Similarly there was a day when he spilled something on his outfit while at work. Rather than be embarrassed by it, he went out to the most touristy of stands in DC, bought a white sweatshirt with big black letters "FBI" on it, and wore it with a straight face to the staff meeting, and throughout the rest of the day. We kept in touch sporadically in the years since I left NACCHO, and I was honored to hear about JR’s work. He was innovative, and he expected a high standard of work to ensure that we carefully tracked and managed response to the spread of preventable disease. And yet, he was so personable. The last message I have from JR was his enquiring how my cat was doing, because the name “Poe” for him had become synonymous for “Point of Entry” after a year of COVID response work. I think many of us could have benefitted from many more years of JR’s mentorship and life led by example. I am so grateful for the time we did have with him.

May 12, 2021

We all have many "tourists" pass through our lives. They are people who show up, look this way and that, and leave. Little if any recognizable impression is left on those of us left behind.

I doubt that JR was a tourist in anyone's life. He made an impression in so many ways and in so many lives. His passion for Public Health, the tenets of social justice, his intelligence, his drive, his oh-so sly wit, and his singular ways were all measurable to those he met.

He kept his eye on the Big Picture. Examples include but are not limited to:
Productivity: Why work in an assigned office when he was more comfortable and productive working within the human energy of Lafayette Park?
Focus: Why let a civil war interfere with data collection, analysis and program evaluations?
Legacy: What could be better than training a new generation of epi's and public health field workers, and building/strengthening data and personnel infrastructure where neither had previously existed?
Humanity: Like all Master Teachers, he was always concerned with the well-being of his students/mentees. He was always concerned for the people his programs were trying to serve. The people he served never morphed into becoming statistics.

I worked with JR in Massachusetts; succeeded him at NACCHO, and kept in touch as he worked internationally. Like all who are participating in this tribute, I lost a little piece of myself with JR's departure, but that is more than balanced by all that his presence and example enriched and motivated me.

May 8, 2021

JR was a gentle yet formidable giant of a human being whose heartfelt presence was unmistakably felt the moment you met him. We started working together when I became active at NACCHO as a local epidemiologist in 2006 and he coordinated the infectious disease workgroup at the mothership. We shared tons of ideas and I admired his professionalism, his drive and his "matter of factness." We maintained contact when he left and started doing tremendous work in Africa. We have lost a great person of compassion and determination but we are richer for having known him, for having worked with him and for being able to call him a friend and colleague.

May 7, 2021

I worked with JR in Juba, South Sudan since early 2020 through collaboration and support of the WHO, CDC and IOM with the Ministry of Health (MOH) on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness and most recently on the COVID-19 response. JR was the co-lead of the Epidemiology Surveillance technical working group and worked tirelessly to ensure that South Sudan is well-equipped and prepared in terms of surveillance and having systems in place to manage and control the pandemic in South Sudan. We even travelled in a convoy late last year from Juba to Nimule to monitor the point of entry and surveillance activities at the South Sudan and Uganda border. JR was an extremely hardworking, respectful and pleasant person to work with. He was always ready to support any new ideas and initiatives. He will truly be missed not just by me as a colleague but by all other humanitarians and the people in South Sudan where he last served. Go well JR. Rest In Peace

May 5, 2021

I fondly remember working with JR when I was working at the National Association of County and City Health Officials. JR was a special combination of profoundly serious, profoundly hilarious, and sometimes both within the span of one minute. He enriched our team by bringing thoughtful, careful, and incredibly insightful perspectives to our work. While we lost touch over the years, my memories of him are wonderful and he will of course be missed by many.

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