Recent news of Jim's death from brain seizures in December 2019 was shocking. I played basketball with Jim back in the day, and we were friends. He was all-conference and GW's top scorer from our class (as well as a star athlete in football and baseball). Bill Storm and I saw Jim a few years ago (spring 2016 or 2017) near Tucson (see photo above). Bill and his wife spend a month in a condo in Tucson every year. My wife and I stayed with Bill for a week that year. Bill arranged for us to meet with Jim, who was in the area. (Jim and his wife would travel around the West in a motor home much of the year when away from their home in Texas.) Jim showed up at the restaurant meeting place outside of Tucson on his motorcycle. As you can tell from the photo, Jim looked fit, and we had a nice conversation all afternoon catching up and recalling old times. Jim retired from high school teaching in the Atlanta area to an outdoor life in the West. Looking at the photo, you would never think that he would pass before me. I was looking forward to seeing Jim again at the 50th reunion. I'm sad that I won't have that opportunity.
So sorry to hear that Jim passed away! We went to at least one dance together and we were friends. I was looking forward to seeing him and talking with him at the next reunion!
Scott Zapel
Lynn Merrick (Vogelsinger)
So sorry to hear that Jim passed away! We went to at least one dance together and we were friends. I was looking forward to seeing him and talking with him at the next reunion!