James Patrick Baen passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2006. He was in a coma at Duke Health Raleigh Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, since June 12 when he suffered a stroke.

Born October 22, 1943, Jim Baen had a long career has an editor and publisher, starting with Ace Books. He went on to Galaxy Science Ficion where he became editor of Galaxy and If magazines in 1973. He briefly returned to Ace before starting the science fiction line at Tor.

In 1983 he launched Baen Books as a private company. Baen published leading genre authors such as Lois McMaster Bujold, David Drake, Elizabeth Moon, and Larry Niven.

Baen was recognized as Editor Guest of Honor at Chicon 2000, the 58th World Science Fiction Convention. The photo above is from that convention.

Remembrances of his life will be held at Tri-noc-Con in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, July 22, and at LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention, in Anaheim, California in late August. Those wishing to make a memorial donation purchase copies of The World Turned Upside Down edited by Jim Baen, David Drake and Eric Flint, and donate them to libraries or teenagers of their acquaintance.

Tribute by David Drake.

Los Angeles Times’ obituary.