James Russell Lofgren

"A Star Who Knew Where He Was Going

On February 11, 2026, James Russell Lofgren stepped beyond the veil of this physical world and into the great mystery he had always sensed was waiting for him — a place he once described as “behind the stars.”

While we grieve his absence here, we also know this: James was never only of this world.

From the moment he was born, he radiated something unmistakable.

A son whose presence felt like sunlight.

A brother full of warmth and wit.

A loving uncle in his own quiet way.

A cousin drawn to laughter.

A grandson with an old soul.

A kind and gentle nephew.

A friend who loved without hesitation.

There wasn’t a stranger he wouldn’t approach, a conversation he wouldn’t start, or a heart he wouldn’t try to open.His smile could light a room. Not politely — but powerfully. It melted tension. It dissolved distance. It made you feel seen.James was a creator in every sense of the word.

He was a poet who wrote about breath as if he knew it was borrowed:

“Funny thing with breath —

You can never own it…

You use it, but it’s always fleeting…

Until one day it finally gets away.

”He was an artist whose work pulsed with color, geometry, hidden faces, cosmic symbols, and layered meaning — art that felt like a portal into his inner universe. His drawings reveal a mind that saw beyond the obvious and a soul that was unafraid of complexity. Light and shadow coexisted. Beauty and struggle intertwined. Mystery was not something to solve — it was something to enter.

He was a musician, a performer, a lover of karaoke, strong coffee, deep talks, and anything chocolate. He created unforgettable alter egos — including the legendary Stacy Canigliati — and filled rooms with laughter through his wild imagination and fearless playfulness.But beyond the humor and brilliance was a man who understood impermanence.

He wrote:

“You will die alone…

Hold tight.

Then just let go.

Now just float

You are just a soul

You know where to go.”

James knew who he was. Even in struggle. Even in complexity. Even when life was heavy.

He reminded us constantly: Be happy. 

Just be happy.He lived life on his own terms — creatively, intensely, authentically. He felt deeply. He thought expansively. He wrestled with the big questions most people avoid. He did not shy away from the truth that life is fleeting. In fact, he used that truth to urge us toward joy.

He once wrote:

“Make sure the good times weregood enoughto make the bad times worth living through.”

That is his legacy and will also be the title of his book of poetry we will publish for him.

The joy he brought us — through laughter, art, music, conversation, and love — will ripple through our family and community forever. His words will live on. His colors will live on. His humor will live on. His spirit will live on.

Though our hearts ache in his absence, we trust that the same soul who searched the cosmos in his art and poetry has now stepped fully into it. We believe he is at peace. We believe he is free. We believe the light that shone through his smile is not extinguished — only expanded.

Behind the stars, there is the rest.

And James knew the way.

In lieu of flowers, our family kindly asks that donations be made to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Here is the link to their donate page: https://www.vcca.com/support/donate/When making a donation, please scroll to the bottom of the page to the “Additional Information” section. In the comment box, we ask that donors include the following:“In memory of James Russell Lofgren.”We would greatly appreciate this, as we hope to honor James by supporting the creative community he cared so deeply about. We want his creativity to live on.Additionally, we will be publishing a book of his art and poetry. Once it becomes available on Amazon, all proceeds from the book will also be donated to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts."