Jim Fassett-Carman was a man who worked to make sure Minnesotans who died in state institutions would always be remembered. Now friends and colleagues are remembering the skilled community organizer and advocate for people with disabilities. Fassett-Carman died July 25 at his Minneapolis home.

Fassett-Carman worked for Advocating Change Together (ACT) and its Remembering with Dignity project, which provides headstones and remembrances of people who died while living in state institutions.

He also worked for several other nonprofits and as a teacher. He was also a stay-at-home father. A Twin Cities resident for 35 years, Fassett-Carman was born in Rochester, N.Y. He attended Kodaikanal International School in India and graduated from Macalester College with a degree in anthropology.

Fassett-Carman was happiest when he was helping others, according to friends and family. He is also described as someone who was a warm and positive presence in the lives of others. He was remembered Aug. 1 at a ceremony at Lyndale Peace Gardens.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, children, Jamie, Al, and Robin, parents, Robert and Lucille Carman, his brother and sister, Chuck Carman and Betsy Perkins, and beloved dog, Martin. He was preceded in death by his brother Paul Carman.