May 5, 2021
May 5, 2021
Jim and I were very good friends in high school and throughout life. Jim was such an extraordinary fellow in so many ways.
Most outstanding, as noted by other tributes, was his openness and acceptance of others. Never a negative word or comment. Jim was one of those rare people who always found something important and interesting in what others said or did. You always had his attention, empathy, and respect. He shared his ideas and his smile with ease. I always felt better after being around Jim. Everyone seemed to be his friend and worthy of attention and respect. If I said something negative or pessimistic, somehow his response made it seem positive, insightful, manageable and a step to further conversation. He simply made people feel good.
And of course, those of us who knew him understood that this was one intelligent guy. He was low-key about his intelligence, but it was always evident. Nothing seemed too complicated for him to understand and deal with, whether it was winning the Grand Prize at our 1960 Garland High School science fair (with a project on cryogenics; quite ahead of its time), being the best math whiz in high school, getting an engineering scholarship when there weren’t many to be had, making some excellent wine with Lanelle, or reprogramming a smart key with an internet download.
Jim didn’t seem to fear much. His inquisitiveness and acceptance made things that others feared just a small obstacle or a normal part of life. I don’t think that I ever knew him to withdraw from anything because of fear or uncertainty. Every challenge that life brought seemed to be just a situation that was accepted, dealt with, and integrated. Things that bothered me seemed like no big deal to Jim. There were many times that I spoke to Jim and came away feeling the same—that my concerns were really not that big a deal and just a part of life.
He had an impressive roster of facets and interests. In high school, Jim played a lead part in the senior play, was a sports editor for the school annual and played end on the District Championship football team. He had an uncommon ability to integrate intellectual knowledge in science, math, with an intuitive feel for people, and even business acumen. He was a warm and intelligent conversationalist.
The more I got to know Jim over the years, the more he became a role model, and the more I understood that he was not only a great friend but a great life resource. He just had a way of calmly dealing with everything, making people feel good, and making the world feel better for everyone.
Even now, I frequently think of how Jim would have handled or approached something. Jim has left that gift with me.
It is such a pleasure and honor to have known Jim and to count him as a very dear friend. I wish that there could be more, many more, like him.
Most outstanding, as noted by other tributes, was his openness and acceptance of others. Never a negative word or comment. Jim was one of those rare people who always found something important and interesting in what others said or did. You always had his attention, empathy, and respect. He shared his ideas and his smile with ease. I always felt better after being around Jim. Everyone seemed to be his friend and worthy of attention and respect. If I said something negative or pessimistic, somehow his response made it seem positive, insightful, manageable and a step to further conversation. He simply made people feel good.
And of course, those of us who knew him understood that this was one intelligent guy. He was low-key about his intelligence, but it was always evident. Nothing seemed too complicated for him to understand and deal with, whether it was winning the Grand Prize at our 1960 Garland High School science fair (with a project on cryogenics; quite ahead of its time), being the best math whiz in high school, getting an engineering scholarship when there weren’t many to be had, making some excellent wine with Lanelle, or reprogramming a smart key with an internet download.
Jim didn’t seem to fear much. His inquisitiveness and acceptance made things that others feared just a small obstacle or a normal part of life. I don’t think that I ever knew him to withdraw from anything because of fear or uncertainty. Every challenge that life brought seemed to be just a situation that was accepted, dealt with, and integrated. Things that bothered me seemed like no big deal to Jim. There were many times that I spoke to Jim and came away feeling the same—that my concerns were really not that big a deal and just a part of life.
He had an impressive roster of facets and interests. In high school, Jim played a lead part in the senior play, was a sports editor for the school annual and played end on the District Championship football team. He had an uncommon ability to integrate intellectual knowledge in science, math, with an intuitive feel for people, and even business acumen. He was a warm and intelligent conversationalist.
The more I got to know Jim over the years, the more he became a role model, and the more I understood that he was not only a great friend but a great life resource. He just had a way of calmly dealing with everything, making people feel good, and making the world feel better for everyone.
Even now, I frequently think of how Jim would have handled or approached something. Jim has left that gift with me.
It is such a pleasure and honor to have known Jim and to count him as a very dear friend. I wish that there could be more, many more, like him.
