Honoring the Life and Legacy of Jim Neathery
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Jim Neathery—a beloved board member, former interim CEO, and former Chairman of the IGNIS Community Board. His passing is recent, and our community is mourning the loss of a passionate leader, mentor, and friend whose life left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
During his years of service, Jim played a vital role in shaping both the direction and the heart of IGNIS Community. He was the forerunner of IGNIS USA, courageously accepting the very first role of CEO for a brand-new organization. From the beginning, Jim led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. He consistently placed people and purpose at the center of his leadership, modeling what it means to serve with conviction and grace.
Beyond his formal roles, Jim was known for his kindness, passion, and genuine care for those he served and worked alongside. His commitment to IGNIS was deeply personal. Having lived with disability himself, Jim was profoundly motivated to improve the lives of Korean children with disabilities. His empathy was not theoretical—it was lived, embodied, and shared freely. His wisdom and presence left a lasting impact on our board, staff, and wider community.
Jim’s influence on IGNIS Community was also deeply practical and far-reaching. With extensive international experience and meaningful global connections, he helped open doors that shaped the organization’s growth. Early in IGNIS Community’s journey, Jim connected us with his friend Eric Metaxas. Through Jim’s introduction, we were invited to appear on The Eric Metaxas Show, where we shared our family’s life story and promoted Discovering Joy: Ten Years in North Korea. That moment marked a significant expansion of our voice and reach.
Jim’s global vision extended far beyond the United States, particularly into Eastern Europe, including Albania. On May 20, 2020, Discovering Joy was translated and published in Albanian, where it was met with keen interest—especially regarding North Korea (DPRK). Albania’s own history with communism gave readers a unique lens through which to engage the story.
Jim Neathery, Eric Metaxas, and the Two of Us
Communism in Albania began in October 1941 and, by 1955, the country had become a model Stalinist state, adopting Soviet systems across nearly every aspect of society. Similarly, North Korea established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 1948. In the DPRK, communism was framed as a nationalist movement, liberating the Korean people after 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. As a result, both Albania and North Korea absorbed Stalinist ideology into the fabric of daily life.
Over time, Albania’s path began to change. Economic reforms led to the country opening to Western Europe in 1985, and by December 1990, Albania became the last European country outside the USSR to fully abandon communist rule. North Korea, however, diverged sharply—remaining steadfast in its communist and Juche philosophies throughout the 1990s and continuing to do so today.
Through additional partnerships, the Albanian edition of Discovering Joy culminated in a trip to Albania in 2022. While there, I discovered an even deeper and largely unknown connection between Koreans and Albanians. Like Korea, Albania experienced division at the end of World War II. Once a larger territory, Albania’s borders were redrawn by outside powers, leaving Albanians divided among Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania itself. Much like North and South Korea, their people remain separated to this day.
As I shared stories from our family’s life and work in North Korea, I encountered a deep understanding and passion for reconciliation among the Albanian people. Though younger generations have grown up in a different political and economic reality, older generations continue to pass down memories of life under communism. Discovering Joy was received with genuine interest and gratitude, and in that moment, Jim Neathery’s outreach to Albania—and his service through IGNIS Community for the DPRK—came full circle.
Yet beyond these significant accomplishments, it was Jim’s presence that proved most powerful. Once an avid hockey player, Jim spent his later years facing a debilitating condition. Through personal suffering and physical limitation, he became a living embodiment of perseverance and compassion. Even as his health declined, Jim continued to serve faithfully as Chairman of the Board, urging us forward with a renewed sense of urgency to care for and dignify children with special needs. His life testified that leadership is not diminished by challenges—it is often refined through it.
As we honor Jim Neathery’s life and legacy, we recommit ourselves to carrying forward the vision and values he championed. We are profoundly grateful for his leadership, his friendship, and the enduring impact of his service. We also thank our donors and partners who continue to walk alongside IGNIS Community as we build upon the foundation Jim helped lay.
His legacy lives on—in our mission, in the lives we serve, and in the hope we continue to share.