Teddy Bear
I remember walking into Smith Hall music dept. I saw Jim for the first time. He was tall long hair and a beard. I thought he was one of the teachers and I just knew he was going to be strict and mean. I was a naive scared freshman music major. I joined 10 o'clock jazz band and often watched and listened to 12 o'clock jazz. I wish I would have taken pictures when Jim played his solos. His expression when he played was just as beautiful has his music. You could always tell when Jim was playing because you could feel the love he put in that horn. I came to know Jim at some of J.D. Folsom's ice cream socials and he was actually the biggest teddy bear in the whole world. He laughed and told jokes and made you feel at ease. I will never forget how he messed with me during wind symphony. When I had to play and trombones weren't he was either whispering something to try and crack me up or poking me in the back with his slide. I loved the time I got to spend around Jim. I see his name pop up on facebook now and then and I am so sad to remember such a beautiful soul is no longer here with us. I know he is up there cracking up at something and someday we will laugh with him again.