Longtime Jackson resident James Chrystie died Nov. 20 of a heart attack in Puerto Rico. He was 55.

His family provided the following.

The youngest of five children, James McDougall Chrystie was born to Eliza and Tom Chrystie, formerly of Wilson.

A natural charmer, James was born Nov. 6, 1964, in New York City and grew up in Short Hills, New Jersey.

His skills on the ski slopes were honed as a youngster racing to catch up to his older brother and sisters.

During his high school years that same scrappy spirit served him well on the wrestling mat as captain of the team.

After graduating from Skidmore College, James earned an associate degree in culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

His professional finesse at cooking and entertaining was matched by his sparkle and wit, and was always appreciated by his friends and family.

Whether serving the vice president at a formal dinner party, or hosting his nephew’s hockey team from his vintage Airstream RV, James always had the recipe for memorable feasts. Bison every which way was his specialty, and everyone raced to the table for his award-winning bison chili.

James is survived by his mother, Eliza Chrystie, now in Charleston, South Carolina; sisters Alice Wyman, of New Canaan, Connecticut; Helen Hipp, of Jericho, Vermont; Adden Chrystie, of San Francisco; and his beloved rescue dogs, Charlie and Bumble.

For friends inclined to make a donation in James’ honor, we suggest the Animal Adoption Center, P.O. Box 8532, Jackson, WY 83002 or AnimalAdoptionCenter.org.