07/08/2024
On Father's day I paid tribute to my son Jimmy Gulbrandsen, who recently passed away. Here is an update which includes details about the Saturday, July 13, 2024 funeral and graveside dedication. Also added are some interesting highlights of his life:
James (“Jimmy”) Samuel Gulbrandsen (50) completed his earthly journey and returned to loved ones on May 24, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he and his family lived.
Jimmy was born on June 27, 1973 in Provo, Utah and raised in Dallas, Texas, graduating from Berkner High School. He served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Portugal Lisbon South Mission and received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Brigham Young University.
He married Daria Hart in the Oakland California Temple in 1996 and began his career on Wall Street following his graduation in 1997. Jimmy put his language skills to good use working with Mergers and Acquisitions at Morgan Stanley, focusing on its Brazilian and Latin American companies in both the New York City and San Francisco offices. He later joined Wasatch Advisors in Salt Lake City.
Jimmy married Mandalyn Pitts in New York City in 2007, where he joined NCH Capital. He managed its Latin American office in Rio de Janeiro for 14 years, where he developed a tremendous love and passion for Brazil and its people.
Jimmy was known as “the energy, light and positive presence in the room — the most popular finance guy in Latin America,” among both employees and peers. He amassed a loyal following of 50K+ on Twitter with his sense of humor, videos of his Texas-style barbecue, and his American perspective on Brazilian politics and finance. Countless Brazilians now speak BYU Football fluently thanks to Jimmy’s unending devotion to his beloved Cougars.
He enjoyed biking through the Atlantic Rainforest and along the beach, grilling food for parties with his friends, and especially spending time with his family. His Grandmother Dorothy Bacon gave him his first Rush album, which changed his life. We have no doubt he’s jamming with Neil Peart on the other side. He also loved his dogs Spike, Taco and Rocky, who were like family.
Jimmy fought the fight until the very end as courageously as he could, given the many challenges he faced in recent years, including a volatile global financial climate, a life-altering car accident, and mounting health challenges. He is greatly missed, but we know he is in the loving care of previously departed family members, including his cherished Grandmother Bacon.
Survivors include his wife Mandalyn Gulbrandsen and their daughter Samantha, his former wife Daria Boden and their daughters Hannah and Leah, parents Cherilyn Bacon and James Stirling Gulbrandsen, siblings Mark (Fei Fei), Erik (Annalisa), Jennifer Robinson (Preston), Scott Gulbrandsen, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
On June 5, 2024 a funeral service was held at the Jardim Botanico Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rio de Janeiro, where he served as the Ward Mission Leader. He was truly generous to the members of both Church and community. He never wanted to let cost stand in the way for anyone who desired to attend the temple (seven hours away) or to serve a mission;
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 13, 2024, 11:00 AM Mountain time at the Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 N. University Ave, Provo, UT 84604, with family visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.
The service will be live streamed at this link: https://nelsonmortuary.com/obituaries/james-gulbrandsen
A grave dedication will take place at 3 PM at East Lawn Memorial Hills Cemetery.
The family thanks all those who have provided care and support during this difficult time. Jimmy requested that a memorial fund be created in the names of his grandparents Samuel K. Bacon MD and Dorothy Bacon. We will honor his legacy by assisting those who need watchful care, particularly for mental illness and su***de prevention. In lieu of flowers, Venmo donations from family and friends may go to -bacon (designated “memorial fund”), to be transferred to the account being established for this purpose.
James passed away on May 24th, 2024
