Member #1020
September 19th 1934- August 5th, 2026
James “Jim” Heaton III, Member #1020, a longtime member, accomplished architect, explorer, and devoted servant of the Club.
Jim’s adventures carried him across the Americas and into the Pacific. He made numerous expeditions by airplane into Baja California for treasure hunting and whale watching and traveled through Belize, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands. His journeys also included rafting the Snake River, mapping petroglyph sites at Church Rock, and participating in archaeological expeditions to Easter Island.
An architect by profession, Jim studied architecture at the University of Southern California and established James Heaton III, Architect & Associates in Los Angeles. Over the course of his career, he designed residential and other projects throughout California, a number of which were featured in architectural and newspaper publications. His work reflected the same curiosity, careful observation, and appreciation for place that characterized his travels.
Jim gave generously of his time and judgment to the Adventurers’ Club. He served as Second Vice President and spent many years on the Board of Directors, remaining involved in the Club’s leadership across more than a decade. His service, experience, and steady presence contributed greatly to the life and continuity of the Club.
Jim embodied the Club’s tradition of curiosity and active exploration—whether flying into Baja, studying ancient rock art, traveling among the islands of the Pacific, or shaping California’s built environment. We remember him with gratitude as a fellow adventurer, a dedicated director, and a valued friend.