Jim purchased All World Travel in 1980
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – James Edwin Birdsall passed away April 1, 2024 at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay Florida. He was surrounded by his family.
Jim was born in Farmington Minnesota September 20 1942. At the age of 13, his parents moved to Lake Worth Florida. He graduated from Lake Worth High School in 1961.
While attending school he worked in retail at a large shopping area in West Palm Beach. In 1965, an owner of a men’s clothing store in the same center approached Jim to be their manager for a new store they were opening at the Bazaar Plaza in Riviera.
The bookkeeper that trained him for his new position was Christy Berg. On January 8, 1967 they were married. Jim had been promoted to district sales manager for Royal Palm Clothes with stores from Daytona Beach to Hollywood Florida.
Jim and Chris were looking for some type of business that they could make their own. In 1973, Christy’s mother ask them both to come work for her at her travel agency in Indialantic. She said that eventually the business would be theirs.
After several years, Jim moved on to another agency down the street. The agency was All World Travel. Jim and Chris purchased the agency in 1980 and Chris joined him shortly after that. Jim loved to sell cruises and created Cruise Quarters.
He also loved his clients and many became longtime friends. He never met a stranger, always had a smile or joke for them. Jim’s sense of humor was a gift. Jim was on several advisory boards with several cruise lines. Jim’s idea of having door tags on cabins was a personal touch for his clients. So, when you cruise and see a door tag, remember who started it!
Jim is predeceased by his parents Harvey and Eleanor(Klaus) Birdsall, his son Jerry Grant(9/10/09) and his sister Nancy Gilomen(3/11/24). He is survived by his wife Joline (Chris) Birdsall, son James Jay Birdsall, his princess (granddaughter) Jaiden Marie Birdsall and beloved dog Leo, sisters Jean Ann Kerr and Barbara Gilomen both from Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews and oh so many friends.
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2 pm at the Front Street Civic Center, 2205 Front Street, Melbourne, Florida, 32901. Cruise or casual attire.
