I have known Jim for quite some time now. I met him through this forum as Java was slipped in Cobb Island and I am right across the river.
I have met up with Jim on the river several times, been over to his place a few times, and he was even at my wedding. To say that he has an infectious personality would be putting it mildly. Jim was the life of the party. He would go out of the way to help a fellow sailor. He has cruised all over the Chesapeake Bay, down to the Florida Keys, and over to the Bahamas. He is a well known personality in this area. You could always find him and his wife, Joan, aboard Java. They would be the boat hosting the party. Jim would always have a nice bottle of rum on board.
Please add Joan to your prayers. They are a great couple and she will also need support through the tough times.
All along I have prayed for a miracle. The Chesapeake Bay won't be the same without him around. I am lucky to have called him a friend.
I thank God that I was able to raft up with him one last time last season. I met up with him and a few other boats in Smith Creek. The picture isn't an great one and I didn't get one of the group. This was Java, Scalleywag, Finally II, and Saga (my boat).
The last picture was in September 2008 with a large raft-up on Canoe Neck Creek. I think that there was at least 15 of us.